BEIJING, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The population of spotted seals in Liaodong Bay in northeast China has recovered to more than 2,000, up from less than 1,000 in the 1980s, thanks to effective habitat improvement, authorities said on Thursday.

The spotted seal is the only pinniped species that breeds in Chinese waters and is classified as a first-class protected wild animal in China.

In recent years, a series of protective measures have been implemented, including a dedicated conservation action plan and regular law-enforcement operations, to strengthen the protection of this species.

On Thursday, five spotted seals, including one rescued off the coast of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, were released into the sea in the city of Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province.

Each released seal is fitted with an identification code and a satellite tracking device to enable continuous monitoring and enhanced protection.■