oning Province, have recently intensified patrols to protect spotted seals during their breeding season in the Liaodong Bay, the southernmost breeding ground for spotted seals worldwide.

Currently, during the critical breeding season, multiple departments of Dalian have joined forces to conduct joint patrols to protect these adorable marine creatures.

During the patrols, Coast Guard vessels regularly inspect key spotted seal habitats in the Bohai Sea, including the Huping Island and the Mayi Island.

The staff members routinely conduct non-intrusive aerial observations of nearby sandbars using drones while simultaneously activating onboard electro-optical monitoring systems to track spotted seal movements in real time.

In one case, dozens of spotted seals were clearly visible on the screens as they awkwardly wriggled on the sandbars. Despite rough seas, they appeared undisturbed.

Through meticulous observations, the staff members have confirmed that the environment of the spotted seal habitat remains stable with breeding activities undisturbed.

Notably, during joint patrols in early February, researchers captured the first-ever footage of spotted seals breeding on land within the habitat's sandbanks.

This discovery not only fills an observational gap but also provides invaluable data for China's endangered species conservation efforts.

The Dalian Natural Resources Affairs Service Center and the Dalian Coast Guard Bureau have formally established a joint law enforcement and supervision mechanism for nature reserves, building a robust safety barrier for the survival of rare marine species like spotted seals.

The spotted seal is a first-class protected animal in China. Every year from November to December, they migrate to the Liaodong Bay. There, they rest and breed. From January to March, they give birth on the ice. Between March and May, they gradually leave.