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The Endangered Baiji River Dolphins of China Swimming for Life

The Endangered Baiji River 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 -Fransiscan. Baiji: The Most Endangered Cetacean. Chinese River Dolphin

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The Endangered Baiji River Dolphins of China Swimming for Life

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  1. The Endangered BaijiRiver Dolphins of ChinaSwimming for Life Angela April 2, 2002

  2. River Dolphins • The five river dolphin species of the world • -Amazon “Boto” • -Indus • -Ganges • -Chinese “Baiji” • Most Endangered • -Fransiscan Baiji: The Most Endangered Cetacean

  3. Chinese River Dolphin Yangtze Dolphin Yangtze River Dolphin Beiji The Chinese Baiji, Also Known As • Pai C'hi • Whitefin Dolphin • Whiteflag Dolphin

  4. 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

  5. A Chinese River Dolphin

  6. 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

  7. 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 Baiji FAQs

  8. The River Dolphins Habitat: the Yangtze River

  9. 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 The World’s Most Endangered Cetacean

  10. 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

  11. 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.

  12. 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

  13. The Endangered “Baiji”River Dolpins of ChinaSwimming for Life by Angela April 2, 2002

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