What happened to the Yangtze River dolphin?

What happened to the Yangtze River dolphin?

The Yangtze River dolphin is no more – the first cetacean to disappear as a result of human activity. After a fruitless search lasting six weeks, scientists failed to find a single Yangtze river dolphin, also known as the Baiji, in its natural habitat in China.

How many Yangtze River dolphins are left?

Turvey went on to say that popular attention should instead focus on the Yangtze finless porpoise, now the only known freshwater cetacean surviving in China. That critically endangered species is down to its final 500 to 1,800 individuals, according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Why did the river dolphin go extinct?

There are only five extant species of river dolphins left in the world today and they are all endangered or critically endangered. This is because pollution, dams, shipping and bycatch have taken their toll on this iconic species.

Do dolphins live in the Yangtze River?

The Chinese river dolphin is a freshwater dolphin and one of the most endangered animals on Earth. It is found in the Yangtze River in China. Under the Endangered Species Act, NOAA Fisheries must list threatened and endangered marine species regardless of where they are found.

Is the baiji dolphin still alive?

Now the most endangered cetacean in the world, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, the baiji was last sighted in August 2004, though there was a possible sighting in 2007. It is listed as an endangered species by the U.S. government under the Endangered Species Act. It is now thought to be extinct.

Is there an extinct dolphin?

The Chinese river dolphin, or baiji, holds the unenviable record of being the first dolphin species driven to extinction by human beings. The mighty Yangtze River in China was the baiji’s home for 20 million years. Baiji numbers crashed dramatically and then they disappeared entirely from the river.

Where did the Yangtze River dolphin live?

China
The baiji was a freshwater dolphin that lived only in the Yangtze River in China.

Is the Yangtze River dolphin extinct?

Critically Endangered
Baiji/Conservation status

How many baiji are left in the world?

Now there may be less than 10 and possibly extinct.

What do you know about the Yangtze river dolphin?

Brief Introduction. The Yangtze River Dolphin, also widely known as Baiji Dolphin lives only in the middle and downstream reaches of the Yangtze River. The male grows up to 2.5 meters long and the female 2.3 meters and weighs between 100 & 150 kg. It maintains a body temperature of 36℃ and has lungs.

Why is the baiji dolphin population decreasing in China?

The number of dolphins is fewer and fewer while the distribution range is generally narrowing also. The population along Yangtze River is up to 300 million people and their activities are the main cause of decline of the Baiji dolphin.

Where is the Chinese river dolphin found?

It is found in the Yangtze River in China. Under the Endangered Species Act, NOAA Fisheries must list threatened and endangered marine species regardless of where they are found. The Chinese river dolphin is listed as endangered under the ESA.

What is WDC doing to help river dolphins?

River dolphins and their homes are under threat. WDC has been supporting vital conservation, education and research work for the past 30 years. More info? Dive deeper The baiji or Chinese river dolphin lived in the Yangtze River, China for 20 million years.