(500 pounds). Scientists estimated that the total amount of Yangtze River Dolphin was less than 50 in 2002. There was once an estimated 6,000 baiji living in the Yangtze, but once China industrialized in the 1950s, it only … It is found in the Yangtze River in China. The baiji is a type of dolphin only found in the Yangtze River in China. They are also known as the Whitefin Dolphin, Yangtze Dolphin and White Flag Dolphin. The last Baiji Dolphin was confirmed to be seen in that river in 2006 so they are now regarded as being functionally extinct. The baiji or Yangtze River dolphin, once found in the Yangtze River in China, is sadly now believed to be extinct. The baiji holds the unfortunate award for being the first whale or dolphin to be driven to extinction by humans; the baiji was sacrificed to population pressures and industrialisation of China. They are beautiful creatures that can grow up to 2.60 m (8.5′) long and weigh about 167 kg (368 lbs). These Chinese dolphins, also known as whitefin, were even thought to be extinct. A freshwater dolphin that first appeared on the river 25 million years ago, the species’ extraordinary lifespan was believed to be over in the mid-2000s. The baiji lived in groups of three or four and preferred quiet eddies near both sandbars and meanders and deep waters in the river. The baiji is probably the most threatened marine mammal in the world; with some saying that it is ‘functionally extinct’. Rare Dolphin Driven To Extinction By Human Activities, Scientists Fear.NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service. Females are slightly larger than males. The mighty Yangtze River in China was the baiji’s home for 20 million years. The Baiji Dolphin of the Yangtze River in china is the rarest mammal in the world. This species is one of the most endangered cetaceans in the world, with a population numbering in the tens or fewer. The Yangtze river basin of China has served as its traditional habitat since 25 million years ago. By Brian Gruters. The Chinese river dolphin, or baiji, holds the unenviable record of being the first dolphin species driven to extinction by human beings. The Chinese river dolphin, or baiji (Lipotes vexillifer), remains in this group, but most sources consider it to be extinct. Moreover, pollution, ship traffic, and the increased diversion of water have all contributed […] It took less than 50 years for humans to wipe them out. The researchers failed to spot any Yangtze river dolphins, also known as baijis, during an extensive six-week survey of the mammals' habitat. Previously, many taxonomists had assigned all river dolphins to a single family, Platanistidae, and treated the Ganges and Indus river dolphins as separate species. Baiji (Lipotes vexillifer), was found in the China's Chang Jiang river, and also at the lower areas of Quintangjiang River.They are 'functionally extinct', meaning that they are alread extinct, or that there are no Baiji to save the species from extinction. In 2006 a survey of its habitat, the Yangtze River, was conducted – though no baiji were found. Read More Genus Lissodelphis (right whale dolphins) 2 species found in cooler temperate waters, 1 of the Northern Hemisphere and 1 of the Southern Hemisphere. One of the best known species, the Yangtze river dolphin or baiji is believed to have gone extinct in about 2006. The Baiji, or Yangtze river dolphin, was declared functionally extinct a decade ago because there were too few individuals left to sustain the species. The baiji is a freshwater dolphin found only in the Yangtze River in China. Baiji is a freshwater dolphin that can be found only in Yangtze River, China. The baiji’s demise was rapid and shocking; it went from a healthy population of some 6000 animals to extinct in a few decades, nothing more than a blink of an eye. Nicknamed "Goddess of the Yangtze", the animal is also known as Chinese River Dolphin, or Baiji. Its really strong digestive system means it has a good appetite and eats great amount of fish everyday. Since 1998, dead Baiji dolphins have been discovered with broken skulls, multiple fractures and wounds caused by fishhooks. New river dolphin species discovered in Amazon for first time in 100 The Baiji or Yangtze river dolphin, Lipotes vexillifer, was declared 'functionally extinct' after none could be found in 2006 Getty The Yangtze River dolphin (Lipotes vexillifer), or baiji, are a type of freshwater dolphin thought to be the first dolphin species driven to extinction due to the impact of humans. It is pronounced "bay-JEE". It is not to be confused with the Chinese white dolphin or the finless porpoise. This particular dolphin has a … The Baiji Dolphin is a river dolphin found in the Yangtze River in China. Consequently, why did Baiji dolphin go extinct? The Chinese river dolphin is a freshwater dolphin and one of the most endangered animals on Earth. An explosion to clear a waterway in … As the waters of the Yangtze grew more crowded and polluted, the baiji became the world’s most endangered cetacean.…. The La Plata dolphin grows to be 5.9ft. The Baiji River Dolphin is one of the Animals unlocked through leveling up. The “functionally extinct” declaration comes shortly after a 26-day search for the Baiji found no dolphins. • Ganges River dolphin: This freshwater dolphin’s behavior is similar to the baiji … Last seen on 19th August 2007, the Baiji Dolphin is the rarest mammal in the world, and was even declared extinct just a few days before the 19th August sighting. It was called “Goddess of the Yangtze” 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. The baiji, also known as the Chinese River Dolphin and Yangtze River Dolphin, is a freshwater dolphin endemic to the Yangtze River in China. Its loss would be the first extinction of mega fauna for over 50 years. Baiji are usually found in pairs and may aggregate to form larger social groups of 10 to 16 individuals. Chinese Legends indicated that the Baiji Dolphin was a symbol of Peace and Prosperity and nicknamed the “Goddess of the Yangtze”. ... New species of dolphin discovered. long and weighs 110lbs at the most. The baiji, or Chinese river dolphin (Lipotes vexillifer), was native to China’s Yangtze River.Pale blue-gray above and lighter below, it grew to 2.4 metres (8 feet). The Baiji (Chinese: 白鱀豚) (Lipotes vexillifer, Lipotes meaning "left behind", vexillifer "flag bearer") is a freshwater dolphin found only in the Yangtze River in China. Baiji were freshwater dolphins, one of only four known species.They were indigenous to China's Yangtze River.Their numbers fell from more than 6,000 in the 1950s to about 400 by 1984. A freshwater dolphin found only in China is now "likely to be extinct", a team of scientists has concluded. It’s smaller than the baiji. Dolphin Baiji The baiji or Chinese river dolphin, and beautiful Goddess of the Yangtze lived for 20 million years in the Yangtze River, China. Click to see full answer. Published 15 September 2011.
You may wonder how can they get food? The Chinese river dolphin, or baiji, holds the unenviable record of being the first dolphin species driven to extinction by human beings. Baiji has lived in Yangtze River for 20 million years, the fossil records that the dolphin first appeared 25 million years ago and then migrated from Pacific Ocean to Yangtze River 20 million years ago. Baiji are freshwater dolphins. Baiji is a Chinese word meaning "a white dolphin." The baiji's extinction is the first of a large mammal species for 50 years and is directly attributable to mankind. For the sake of the world's surviving river dolphin species, it is essential that we do not forget the extinct baiji, and the man-made reasons for its extinction. The Baiji or Yangtze River dolphin is on the verge of extinction, primarily due to human activities. Nicknamed "Goddess of the Yangtze" in China, the dolphin is also called Chinese river dolphin, Yangtze River dolphin, whitefin dolphin and Yangtze dolphin. • La Plata dolphin: This species lives in freshwater as well as saltwater estuaries. They feed on a variety of small, freshwater fish, using their long, slightly upturned beak (or rostrum) to probe the muddy river bottom. The Story of the Baiji River Dolphin In the year 300 BC, there was a young Princess who lived on a tall sailing ship called the Dragon of the White Jade. Whitefin DolphinChinese River Dolphin Family: PlatanistidaeGenus: LipotesSpecies: L.vexillifer Miller, 1918 Because the Baiji is indigenous to the waters within the People’s Republic of China, western researchers have had little access to it or information concerning its habits and natural history. The Yangtze River dolphin (also called the baiji) is believed to be extinct. Compared to its chipper, bottlenose cousins, the baiji, or Yangtze River dolphin, was not one to pose for the camera.Its recent notoriety is due to its distinction as either the most endangered cetacean in the world, or the first large mammal to become extinct in more than 50 years. A December 2006 survey found no members of Lipotes vexillifer (commonly known as the baiji, or Chinese river dolphin) and declared the species functionally extinct. In river dolphin. Only one young was born at a time, and gestation lasted 10-11 months. Chinese state media reports that scientists will continue to search for the baiji dolphin even after a 38-day search failed to produce any evidence of its existence in the Yangtze River. Scientists from Brazil and the United Kingdom have described a new species of true river dolphin from the Araguaia River basin, the first such discovery in nearly 100 years.