At a glance
- IUCN category
- CR · Critically Endangered
- Animal group
- Mammals
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- FaunaHub record reviewed
- Checked against IUCN
- Sources disagree — IUCN's 2017 global assessment says EndangeredChecked 2026-10-09 against IUCN's Red List export published 2026-07-28 · assessment
Conservation overview
The Yangtze finless porpoise is a small, smiling-faced freshwater porpoise and the last cetacean left in the Yangtze after the baiji's disappearance. It is assessed as Critically Endangered.
It has no dorsal fin, just a low ridge along its back.
Range & habitat
The middle and lower 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.
- Bycatch in fishing gear
- Heavy river traffic and dams
- Pollution and prey decline
Why it matters
The Yangtze's last surviving cetacean, the finless porpoise is a flagship for the great river's recovery — and a warning given the fate of the baiji.
Sources
Sources for Yangtze Finless Porpoise
- IUCN Red List — look up Yangtze Finless Porpoise (authoritative status)
- Animal Diversity Web
Frequently Asked Questions
How is it related to the baiji?
Both lived in the Yangtze, but they are different animals: the baiji was a river dolphin (now likely extinct), while the finless porpoise is a porpoise that still survives there — though it is now Critically Endangered.
Why is the Yangtze finless porpoise Critically Endangered?
Published assessments cite bycatch in fishing gear, heavy river traffic and dams, and pollution and declining prey. See the IUCN Red List.