{"id":15578,"date":"2023-12-03T17:15:11","date_gmt":"2023-12-03T16:15:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/?p=15578"},"modified":"2023-12-03T17:15:11","modified_gmt":"2023-12-03T16:15:11","slug":"when-did-the-yangtze-river-dolphin-become-extinct","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/when-did-the-yangtze-river-dolphin-become-extinct\/","title":{"rendered":"When Did The Yangtze River Dolphin Become Extinct"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Background Information<\/h2>\n

The Yangtze River dolphin, also known as the baiji, was a freshwater dolphin found only in the Yangtze River of China. It is believed to have been the first species of freshwater dolphin to have gone extinct due to human activities. The Yangtze River dolphin had lived in the Yangtze River for millions of years and was an icon of the region. Unfortunately, over the past decades, its population dwindled to the point of extinction. The yangtze river dolphin was declared extinct in 2006, due to rampant over fishing, water pollution and the development of dams along the river.<\/p>\n

Decline of Population<\/h2>\n

The decline of the Yangtze River dolphin population has been well documented since the 1940s. Initially, their numbers still remained high, but as fishing and pollution affected the river and its inhabitants, the population started to decline. In the 1975, the Chinese government began efforts to conserve the Yangtze River dolphins, and the baiji sanctuary was created the same year. Despite these efforts, the population continued to decline and in the mid-1990s, only 200 individual dolphins remained.<\/p>\n

Reasons for Extinction<\/h2>\n

The primary reason for the extinction of the Yangtze River dolphin was human activities such as over fishing, pollution and development of dams in the region. Over fishing depleted the population of the species’ food source and made it increasingly difficult for the dolphins to survive. Pollution of the river further reduced the quality of the water, making it an unfavorable environment for the dolphins to live in. Additionally, the construction of dams along access routes and the increased speed of boat traffic, significantly reduced the dolphin’s chances of survival.<\/p>\n

Experts’ Perspectives<\/h2>\n

According to experts, the extinction of the Yangtze River dolphin could have been prevented if appropriate measures had been taken to conserve and protect the species. Conservationists have been calling for stricter regulations on fishing, more stringent pollution controls and restrictions on boat traffic in the Yangtze River. Had these measures been implemented in a timely manner, the Yangtze River dolphin may have been able to survive. Unfortunately, due to the lack of awareness and lax regulations, the Yangtze River dolphin became extinct.<\/p>\n

Analysis and Insights<\/h2>\n