{"id":15320,"date":"2024-02-09T01:05:15","date_gmt":"2024-02-09T00:05:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/?p=15320"},"modified":"2024-02-09T01:05:15","modified_gmt":"2024-02-09T00:05:15","slug":"is-the-yangtze-river-dolphin-extinct","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/is-the-yangtze-river-dolphin-extinct\/","title":{"rendered":"Is The Yangtze River Dolphin Extinct"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Yangtze river dolphin is commonly referred to as the Baiji. It is one of the most critically endangered species in the world and likely extinct. The baiji was once the largest inhabitant of the Yangtze river and exists nowhere else in the world. This species was heavily hunted for food and skin by locals for centuries and loss of habitat due to human activities has led to its extinction. <\/p>\n

In 2006, a survey by the Chinese baiji conservation project declared that the baiji was “functionally extinct”. Since 2006, there have been no confirmed sightings of the animal though there have been some unsubstantiated reports of sightings. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the baiji as “critically endangered”, and its population is believed to be may be near 0. <\/p>\n

Experts point out that the baiji’s extinction has huge implications for the environment of the Yangtze river, and serves as a warning sign of the dangers of human activities. According to research, the extinction of the baiji has resulted in huge shifts in the ecosystem of the Yangtze river. For example, it has caused the growth rate of some species, such as the Chinese mobile carp, to dramatically increase. This could, in turn, cause a decrease in the population of other organisms in the area due to overcrowding and the depletion of resources. <\/p>\n

Furthermore, the extinction of the baiji is believed to negatively impact local fisheries as it used to eat or compete for the same food sources as certain species of fish. This could potentially result in a decrease in the population of fish, leading to an increase in fishing costs and an overall decrease in the quality of life for the locals. <\/p>\n