At a glance
- IUCN category
- CR · Critically Endangered
- Animal group
- Mammals
- Population trend
- Trend unknown
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The baiji, or Yangtze river dolphin, was a pale freshwater dolphin of China's Yangtze River. It is assessed as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct).
It has not been reliably recorded since the early 2000s, and a major survey in 2006 failed to find any.
Range & habitat
Formerly the Yangtze River of China.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Drowning as bycatch in fishing gear
- Dams and heavy river traffic
- Pollution
Why it matters
Likely the first dolphin driven to extinction by people, the baiji is a stark warning about the toll of fishing, dams, and pollution on great rivers.
Sources
Sources for Baiji
- IUCN Red List — look up Baiji (authoritative status)
- Animal Diversity Web
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the baiji extinct?
It is assessed as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct). It has not been reliably confirmed since the early 2000s, and a dedicated 2006 survey found none, leading many scientists to consider it functionally extinct.
What happened to the baiji?
Published accounts cite drowning as bycatch in fishing gear, the impact of dams and intense river traffic, and pollution along the heavily developed Yangtze. See the IUCN Red List.
Last updated: