We may go to Mars one day
And sail across the stars one way.
Upon red dirt, humanity may claim
A future against the earth’s mad shame.

This porpoise, too, forced from its home
Travels to lakes, no current to roam.
Away from river, with fishers and boats
Alone in the water, lest a calf it on dotes.

A traveler to a world not it’s own.
Never again to see the Yangtze of home.

The Yangtze River Porpoise is a finless freshwater porpoise. It is dying in the Yangtze River of home, so scientists have been moving it with some success to nearby freshwater lakes. This re-homing may save the species, but not the habitat.

There used to be another finless freshwater porpoise only a dozen years ago. Sadly…