Every year from March to May, as temperatures rise, herds of spotted seals migrate to the sea area of the Changdao archipelago in Yantai, Shandong province to nest, benefiting from local marine conservation efforts.

As the only pinniped species that breeds in China's native waters, spotted seals are not only a national first-level protected animal but also a flagship species of the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea ecosystem.

In recent years, the Changdao National Marine Park Management Center has taken on the responsibility of strengthening the protection of rare and endangered marine species such as seals.

They have designated a protected area covering 1,731 square kilometers in the region where spotted seals are active, equipped with specialized equipment and staff to monitor and protect them 24 hours a day. This ensures that the seals are not disturbed during breeding season and creates a safe and comfortable habitat for them.

Due to overfishing, illegal hunting, and marine pollution, the population of seals is currently in rapid decline. In order to protect this rare animal, the Save the Seals Foundation decided in 1983 to designate March 1 as the International Day of the Seal.

Spotted seals mainly live in the Bohai and Yellow seas in China. [Photo/Changdaohao]