Discovery of a Wild Giant Salamander in Longgang River

On the afternoon of February 21st, a resident of Longgang, Wenzhou, Mr. Chen, captured an unusual creature in a river near No. 900 East Cheng Road. The creature was dark, flat-headed, and notably had four legs.

"This is the first time I've seen anything like this", remarked Mr. Chen, who was unfamiliar with this peculiar creature".It has four legs and a tail. This could be a giant salamander", suggested a passerby who had seen this type of creature on television".This is a rare species!" Subsequently, Mr. Chen contacted the Emergency Fisheries Disposal Command Center of Longgang, Wenzhou.

Upon receiving the news, the Marine and Fishery Law Enforcement Brigade of the Agricultural and Rural Affairs Bureau of Longgang arrived to confirm the discovery. The"unusual creature" measured nearly 47 centimeters in length and weighed approximately 3.4 pounds. It turned out to be a giant salamander, a precious amphibian native to China, living in freshwater. Due to its nocturnal cry resembling a baby's cry, it is commonly known as the"'baby fish." Officials emphasized that the giant salamander is a second-level protected species in China. Any illegal capture, hunting, trading, or consumption of wild giant salamanders would face legal sanctions.

The Marine and Fishery Law Enforcement Brigade of the Agricultural and Rural Affairs Bureau of Longgang conducted a thorough examination of the giant salamander, finding it to be in good physical condition with no external injuries. It met the conditions for release. Therefore, in the presence of the involved parties, it was released back into the nearby river.

The diet of the giant salamander includes fish, frogs, crabs, snakes, shrimp, earthworms, and aquatic insects, primarily found in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River, Yangtze River, Pearl River, and their tributaries. During winter, it undergoes a hibernation period that can last up to six months and becomes active again in March of the following year. Due to the unique living habits of giant salamanders and their relatively high water quality requirements, they are rarely seen in urban rivers. The appearance of the giant salamander also signifies an"endorsement" of the Longgang river environment.(ZhongXin)