Baiji (Yangtze River Dolphin) - Extinct 2006

The Baiji, also known as the Yangtze River Dolphin, was one of several freshwater dolphin species.  It was 7 - 8 feet long and lived in the freshwater of the Yangtze River in China.  It is believed that they lived up to 24 years.  The word "baiji" in Chinese means "white dolphin".  The Chinese called the baiji, the "Goddess of the Yangtze".  

The baiji were never used as a food source, but they had trouble surviving as the people began more efficient fishing processes in the river.  The baiji would often get tangled in fishing lines and nets left in the river.  If they couldn't get the the surface to breathe, they would drown.  The development of dams and cities along the Yangtze River caused additional stressors for the baiji.  


Scientists in China began working on a species protection plan in 1985.  The last baiji in captivity died in 2002.  In 2006 the baiji was listed as "critically endangered" (meaning very few were remaining).  After an extensive search in 2006 for 6 weeks throughout the Yangtze River, the baiji was declared extinct. 

In 2016 & 2018, fishermen reported seeing a Yangtze River dolphin, but it was unconfirmed.  Many scientists believe it was the endangered, Yangtze finless porpoise, which also lives in the Yangtze River in China. 

Additional resources:
* https://seaworld.org/animals/facts/mammals/baiji/

* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gH1GRRBGEgk

* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUDsID0HrXY

* https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/freshwater-dolphin-species-and-facts

* https://youtu.be/gIBtHtF9JlU (3 minute video of baiji)

* https://porpoise.org/save-the-vaquita/ (The vaquita is a critically endangered dolphin species which may soon be extinct.  There are only 20 remaining)



Credit...Institute of Hydrobiology, Wuhan, China










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