The Extinction of Baiji: China’s White Dolphin

The mighty Yangtze River. China’s most extensive waterway was the perfect habitat for a special white dolphin, swimming these currents for 20 million years. However, the region’s recent technological boom proved too great for the curious mammal. This “Goddess of Yangtze,” as it was known in ancient China, enjoyed a magical coexistence with humankind for thousands of years. However, this long relationship ended quite abruptly as the region’s economic reform brought with it new production technologies and massive pollution that wiped out this unique animal.

It’s also speculated that the noise from boat motors caused great confusion among the species, leaving some individuals isolated from the group. Fishing by using electrical discharges or using multiple hooks also served to harm these long-time residents of the Yangtze River... Read Full Article by Leonardo Vintiñi