The world's first documentary dedicated to the Chinese white dolphin is set for a national release on December 12. Titled Chinese White Dolphin, the film not only spotlights this vulnerable marine species – often referred to as the "Panda of the Sea" – but also connects its story to the cultural landscape of the Greater Bay Area and the 15th National Games.
The documentary is a joint production by China Media Group, Guangdong Radio and Television, and Zhuhai Media Group Co., Ltd., and is helmed by the director Yan Dong. Its release celebrates the spirit of the 15th National Games, which will be held across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, leveraging the fact that the dolphin itself served as the inspiration for the Games' mascot.
Six years in the making
The 82-minute production culminates six years of intense filming. To authentically capture the lives of these elusive marine mammals, the production team traveled across multiple countries, including China, the United States, Sweden and the United Kingdom, and conducted over a hundred offshore shoots spanning more than 3,600 nautical miles. The crew gathered over a thousand hours of footage and interviewed 21 scientists and 17 conservationists.
The narrative follows the journey of a Chinese white dolphin named "Zhuzhu" as it returns to its habitat. The story is set against the backdrop of both the construction of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the historic co-hosting of the 15th National Games. Director Yan Dong emphasized that the documentary's core message transcends conservation, conveying the values of unity, resilience and perseverance that are essential to sport.
The significance of "Panda of the Sea"
The Chinese white dolphin is unique: it is the only marine mammal species named after "China." It is classified as a national first-class protected animal and is listed as "Vulnerable" (VU) on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Though the species has existed for over 60 million years, its global population stands at roughly 6,000. Significantly, over 2,000 of these dolphins inhabit the Pearl River Estuary in the Greater Bay Area, making it the species' most important global sanctuary. Known for its remarkable speed (exceeding 12 knots per hour) and natural athleticism, the dolphin is often dubbed the "Panda of the Sea."
The dolphin was chosen as the official mascot prototype for the 15th National Games and the National Special Olympics Games. Mascot designer Liu Pingyun noted that the dolphin's social and courageous nature perfectly mirrors the teamwork and dedication of the athletes competing.
