The Yangtze River is a waterway that flows through 10 provinces and two special administrative regions in China and makes up three-fifths of the total length of the country’s river system. It is the longest river in Asia and third-longest in the world, with an estimated length of 4,880 km. While this water source is abundant with life, there are some species that have unfortunately gone extinct in the Yangtze River.
Baiji Dolphin
The Baiji dolphin (Lipotes vexillifer), also known as the Chinese river dolphin, is an endangered species that went extinct in the Yangtze River in December 2006. This species of freshwater dolphin was once widespread in the Yangtze River, according to the World Wildlife Fund. Its extinction was mainly caused by water pollution and unsustainable fishing practices.
“The Baiji is a symbol of the inequality between humans and nature,” stated Zhang Xianliang, vice-chairman of the China Wildlife Conservation Association. “It’s also a warning to us. To protect nature, we must raise public awareness and strengthen protection laws.”
Chinese Sturgeon
The Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis), also known as the Yangtze sturgeon, is an endangered species that went extinct in the Yangtze River in 2018. Chinese sturgeon are the longest living fish species in the world, with some individuals living up to 90 years. Their population in the Yangtze had declined by 98 percent since the late 19th century due to water pollution, destruction of habitat, overfishing and a rising number of dams blocking the upstream migration routes.
“We are losing the sturgeon, the Yangtze dolphin, the Chinese river dolphin, the Yangtze finless porpoise, and so many other species,” said Zhou Fei of Greenpeace East Asia. “We must raise awareness and bring this to Chinese people’s attention.”
Chinese Paddlefish
The Chinese Paddlefish (Psephurus gladius), also known as the Chinese swordfish, is an endangered species that went extinct in the Yangtze River in 2019. The Chinese paddlefish was the largest freshwater fish in Asia and one of the largest in the world. It had a wide head and a torpedo-shaped body reaching up to 7 meters long. Its extinction was due to water pollution, damage to the fish’s spawning grounds and overfishing.
“The paddlefish’s sudden disappearance serves as a stark reminder of the need to better understand and protect precious biodiversity,” remarked professor Wang Ding, a researcher at the Institute of Hydrobiology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Chinese Giant Salamander
The Chinese Giant Salamander (Andrias davidianus) is a critically endangered species that could be extinct in the Yangtze. Once widespread in the Yangtze River Basin, this species is the largest amphibian in the world, ranging from 1.3 to 1.7 meters in length. Its population has declined by 83 percent since the 1950s, mainly due to habitat destruction, overfishing and hunting for food.
“This species, and others of the same kind, are extremely important for the health of the entire river ecosystem and for maintaining aquatic biodiversity,” said Professor Cong Peiyu, director of the Guangzhou Institute of Applied Biology at Sun Yat-sen University.
Other Yangtze Species
Aside from the aforementioned species, there are other organisms including ducks, woodpeckers, cranes and otters that have gone extinct or become endangered in the Yangtze River. These species have all suffered due to habitat destruction, excessive dam building, overfishing and pollution.
Conservation Efforts
The Chinese government has taken measures to protect the Yangtze River and its species. In 2000, the Yangtze River Protection Law was enacted, which stated that all activities in the Yangtze River Basin should be in compliance with the law. In 2009, the Chinese government announced the “Two Protections Programme”, which aimed to restore ecosystems, reduce pollution and improve water quality in the Yangtze River Basin. NGOs such as the World Wildlife Foundation and Greenpeace also play an important role in protecting the Yangtze River and its species.
Education and Awareness
Apart from conservation efforts, educating the public and raising awareness about the importance of protecting the Yangtze River is essential. This includes educating the public about the severity of water pollution, the consequences of excessive fishing, and the need for habitat protection.
Hunting Practices
Hunting practices also play a large role in the extinction of species in the Yangtze River. Many local people hunt endangered species such as the Chinese sturgeon, Chinese paddlefish and Chinese giant salamander for food, despite the laws prohibiting such activities. This has contributed significantly to the decline of these species’ populations.
Conclusion
The Yangtze River is home to numerous species of plants and animals, many of which are threatened by human activities such as water pollution, unsustainable fishing practices and habitat destruction. More needs to be done to protect the Yangtze River, including strengthening enforcement of existing laws, educating the public and raising awareness of thei need to protect the river and its species. Only then will the Yangtze River and its organisms continue to thrive.
