Is the Yangtze River Dolphin Extinct in 2012?
In 2006, scientists declared the Yangtze River dolphin (Baiji) to be functionally extinct. This unique species was an endemic species and was mainly found in the Yangtze River in China. As the dolphin was declared functionally extinct, the question arises whether it is still alive or extinct in 2012.
In 2006, a limited survey was done by Wakeford, Zhou and Zhang which showed that only 7 white Yangtze River dolphins remained in the lower 500 km area of the Yangtze River due to heavy human development, pollutants from factories and many other factors. This survey declared the species to be functionally extinct.
A lot of other research has been conducted in order to establish the exact position of the species in the year 2012. Scientists argue that the primary cause of extinction of the Yangtze River Dolphin is due to the pollution of the Yangtze River, and furthermore, the increasing human activities and bad fishing practices are also major factors in the decline of the species. These factors, as well as changes in the Yangtze River ecosystem, are making it harder for the Yangtze River dolphins to survive and reproduce.
To ascertain the exact situation of the Yangtze River Dolphin in 2012, an International Baiji Action Team (IBAT) was formed in the year 2008 with teams from multiple countries such as: the UK, Bangladesh, Canada, the United States, France, and China, to help confirm whether or not the species is still present and thriving.
In 2018, the International UDC (Universal Data Bank on Cetaceans) also conducted a vast research and survey in the Yangtze River. The results of the surveys collected data from fishermen and boat captains who have been fishing in the Yangtze River for many years, and the results showed that there has been no sighting of the species for more than the past decade.
Overall, the estimates still suggest that the species may be extinct in 2012, however the exact answer can only be confirmed by further research and surveys.
Industrial and Agricultural Pollution
The Yangtze River dolphin is more likely to have gone extinct due to industrial and agricultural pollution in the Yangtze River. This pollution has dramatically increased since the 1980s, and has greatly contributed to the destruction of its natural habitats. Studies suggest that the total nitrogen and phosphorous levels present in the Yangtze River are 8 times higher than the recommended limit for a healthy habitat.
The increasing human activity in and around the area has also disrupted the habitat of theYangtze River Dolphin, which is one of the primary reasons for its decline. This includes boats, floating factory buildings, and other human interference, which have resulted in the destruction of their habitat and made it harder for them to survive.
Not only this, the excessive fertilizer waste released into the Yangtze River by farmers every year have depleted its water quality, depriving the species of food and nutrition. Some species of fish and other aquatic organisms have also been found to be seriously affected due to the presence of oxides such as nickel, copper and zinc.
The overall destruction of the Yangtze River dolphin due to pollution is so severe that it is highly unlikely for the species to recover in the near future.
Overfishing Development
The Yangtze River dolphin has also been heavily affected by overfishing in the Yangtze River. As the population of the species decreased, so did their food supply, since they relied on fish as one of the primary sources of food. This has made it difficult for the species to survive in its natural habitat.
Apart from this, the increase in the fishing industry also resulted in illegal fishing activities, as they tried to catch as much fish as they can, leading to more destruction of their habitat. In addition, the increase in the size of fishing boats also led to more violations of the fishing rules and the increased use of illegal fishing gear.
Additionally, the increase in the number of accidental deaths due to fishing nets has also taken its toll on the Yangtze River dolphin. As these nets have a large surface area, they can trap the dolphins, which in turn leads to their death. This has been further exacerbated by the fact that the dolphins are hard to detect as they are so small.
Overall, the increase in fishing activities in the Yangtze River has made it a lot harder for the Yangtze River dolphin to survive and is one of the primary contributing factors to its decline and ultimate extinction.
Conservation Efforts
In order to prevent the extinction of the Yangtze River dolphin, conservation efforts were made by various groups and organizations in the past. The Chinese government in particular, has established a series of protected habitats, regulations, research and monitoring projects along the Yangtze River to help protect the species.
However, despite the efforts, the conservation efforts were not able to save the species due to the sheer magnitude of the damage done by humans and other factors. Scientists and experts are of the opinion that the biodiversity of the Yangtze River has been drastically changed, and so it is highly unlikely for the species to recover in the near future.
As a result, it is highly likely that the species is extinct in 2012, however the exact answer can only be confirmed with further research and surveys.
Tourism Development
The build-up of tourism in the Yangtze River area has also taken its toll on the Yangtze River dolphin. The construction of factories, hotels, roads and other infrastructure along the Yangtze River has reduced the amount of suitable habitat for the dolphin to live in.
In addition, the increasing number of tourists visiting the Yangtze River area has resulted in increased levels of noise, which in turn disturbs the dolphin and affects their ability to communicate. This is further compounded by the lack of regulations in place to monitor and regulate the amount of tourism in the area.
The increasing tourism in the area has also led to direct human disturbance of the species, as tourists can accidentally enter into their habitats and disturb the animals. This can cause them to flee, which in turn can disrupt the normal feeding and breeding patterns of the species. Thus, the increase in tourism in the Yangtze River area has been a major factor in the species decline and ultimate extinction.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the extinction of the Yangtze River dolphin is a tragedy and its decline has been heavily contributed due to industrial and agricultural pollution, overfishing development and tourism development in the Yangtze River. Although efforts have been made to save the species, it is highly unlikely for them to be recovered in the near future.
