The Extinction of Baiji

Historical distribution of Baiji
www.earthtimes.org

The Yangtze River Dolphin, Baiji, was endemic to eastern China and once inhabited the Yangtze River, Fuchun river, and the Dongting and Poyang Lakes. Between 1997 and 1999, surveys found only 13 Baiji. In 2006, scientists were unable to locate any remaining members, so the Baiji was declared to be functionally extinct (12) The Baiji was the only member of the Lipotes family, and with its extinction we lost an entire lineage of cetaceans (1).

Baji
http://www.lhs204.stellpflug.com

The extinction of the Baiji was undoubtedly due to human impacts. Habitat degradation and mortality by fishing practices were the leading cause of their decline (7). It is estimated that approximately 40% of documented Baiji deaths were caused by illegal electric fishing gear in the 1990s. Incidental by-catch in fishing gear and collisions with ships also caused fatalities (14). Furthermore, the Yangtze River is among the most degraded rivers in the world. Deterioration of habitat quality, fragmentation, and habitat range constriction of their habitat also had tremendous impacts leading to their extinction. Industrialization, resource extraction, water flow regulation, and habitat fragmentation from hydropower projects all factor into this (13).

Baiji in captivity
http://pnf-primeval.wikispaces.com/Baiji

The Baiji, the reincarnation of a drowned princess in Chinese culture, was made the National Treasure of China in 1975. However, this was not enough to protect them from extinction. The recent extinction of this species shows the alarming rate that the remaining species of river dolphins could go extinct (13).