the endangered baiji river dolphins of china swimming for life angela april 2, 2002
TRANSCRIPT
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