The Endangered BaijiRiver Dolphins of China

Swimming for Life

Angela April 2, 2002

River Dolphins

•The five river dolphin species of the world

-Amazon “Boto”

-Indus

-Ganges

-Chinese “Baiji”

Most Endangered

-FransiscanBaiji: The Most Endangered Cetacean

The Chinese Baiji, Also Known As

• Chinese River Dolphin• Yangtze Dolphin• Yangtze River Dolphin• Beiji

•Pai C'hi•Whitefin Dolphin•Whiteflag Dolphin

Taxonomy• Scientists are still disputing over river dolphin

classification, but here is one widely accepted taxonomic grouping

• Kingdom: Animalia– Phylum: Chordata

• Class Mammalia– Order: Cetacea

» Family: Lipotidae» Genus: Lipotes» Species: Vexillifer

A Chinese River Dolphin

Unique Characteristics

• Long, narrow beak• Abrupt forehead• Tiny eyes set high on sides

of the head• Triangular dorsal fin with

blunt peak• Born dark-grey, fades to

pink as dolphin ages and blood nears body surface

• Very shy and hard to approach/study

Baiji FAQs

• Inhabit sandbars and dikes of the Yangtze River

• Diet consists of a variety of fish

• Weigh up to 350 lbs• Usually in groups of

3-7, with occasional groups of 10 observed

The River Dolphins Habitat: the Yangtze River

The World’s Most Endangered Cetacean

• Twenty million years ago the Baiji Chinese River Dolphin left the ocean for the Yangtze River– Writings from the Han Dynasty (200 BC) suggest that there were

thousands in the river– Thousands inhabited the river around 1950

• As little as 100 may remain in the wild– Boat collisions– River Draining: Land Reclamation

• Disneyland Theme Park being built on reclaimed land

– Pollution– Depleted food sources

What is Being Done?

Habitat protection in marine parks

• Artificial barrier reefs – Replenish food in the overfished

waters

•Upgrade sewers/plants–Disinfect waste going into Hong Kong’s water

The Baiji’s Future Looks Bleak

• Despite conservation efforts Baiji population continues to decline

• Many experts predict that the Baiji will soon become a part of history – extinct.

References

• Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums. http://ammpa.org/articles/riverdolphin.html

• The Associated Press. http://www.post-gazette.com/healthscience/20010827dolphinhealthp4.asp

• Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network. http://www.sci.tamucc.edu/tmmsn/29Species/worldcetaceans.html

• Cetacea. http://www.cetacea.org/baiji.htm

The Endangered “Baiji”River Dolpins of China

Swimming for Life

by

Angela

April 2, 2002