Unsupported Browser Detected

Internet Explorer lacks support for the features of this website. For the best experience, please use a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.

Chinese River Dolphin

Chinese River Dolphin

Lipotes vexillifer

Chinese river dolphin image

Protected Status

ESA Endangered - Foreign
Throughout Its Range
MMPA Protected
Throughout Its Range
MMPA Depleted
Throughout Its Range
CITES Appendix I
Throughout Its Range

Quick Facts

Weight
500 pounds
Length
8 feet
Lifespan
About 25 years
Threats
Fisheries interactions, Habitat degradation, Habitat impediments, Pollution
Region
Foreign

About the Species

The Chinese river dolphin is a freshwater dolphin and is extremely rare. It is found in the Yangtze River in China. Under the Endangered Species Act, NOAA Fisheries must list threatened and endangered marine species regardless of where they are found. The Chinese river dolphin is listed as endangered under the ESA. In addition, it is listed as depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

The last confirmed occurrence of the species occurred in 2001. During November and December 2006, an international research team including biologists from NOAA Fisheries conducted an intensive 6-week multi-vessel visual and acoustic survey covering the entire historical range of the Chinese river dolphin in the main Yangtze channel between Yichang and Shanghai. By the end of the expedition, the team failed to find any evidence that the species survives and concluded that the Chinese river dolphin may now be extinct. Since then, there have been periodic, undocumented sightings of the Chinese river dolphin, but none have been confirmed. Such sightings may reflect that a few individuals still exist, or they may represent misidentified Yangtze finless porpoises. 

Where They Live

The Chinese river dolphin is found in the Yangtze River in China.

A map showing the range of population for Chinese river dolphin World map providing approximate representation of the Chinese river dolphin's range.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Cetacea
Family Lipotidae
Genus Lipotes
Species vexillifer

Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 08/14/2025

Featured News

50th Anniversary of the Endangered Species Act with smalltooth sawfish, green turtle, Atlantic salmon, staghorn, North Atlantic right whale, and Tubastraea floreana
Feature Story

The Endangered Species Act: 50 Years of Conserving Species

Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
Pair of bottlenose dolphins Pair of bottlenose dolphins. Credit: NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center/Lisa Morse.
Podcast

50 Years of Protecting Marine Mammals

National
Gray whales swimming Gray whales were nearly hunted to extinction by commercial whaling. Protections under the MMPA, ESA, and the end of commercial whaling have allowed the species to recover. Credit: NOAA Fisheries (Permit #19091).
Feature Story

Celebrating 50 Years of the Marine Mammal Protection Act

Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
finback image for 2020 whale week Finback whales. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
Feature Story

11 Cool Facts About Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises

Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
View More News

Related Species

Indus River dolphin illustration. Credit: Jack Hornady

Indus River Dolphin

Management Overview

The Chinese river dolphin is listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.

The Chinese river dolphin is protected throughout its range under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

The Chinese river dolphin is depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Additionally, the Chinese river dolphin is listed under:

Regulatory History

In 1989, NOAA Fisheries listed Chinese river dolphins as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.

Key Actions and Documents

Actions & Documents

5-Year Review for the Chinese River Dolphin

5-Year Review for the Chinese River Dolphin
Notice,
Foreign
Published

Listing of the Chinese River Dolphin Under the Endangered Species Act

Final rule of NOAA Fisheries determination that the Chinese river dolphin (Lipotes vexillifer) should be listed as an endangered species according to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA).
Final Rule,
Foreign
Effective

More Information

Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 08/14/2025

Documents

Document

Baiji/Chinese River Dolphin/Yangtze River Dolphin (Lipotes vexillifer) 5-Year Review: Summary and Evaluation

Five-year review summary and evaluation of the Chinese river dolphin's listing as an endangered…

International
More Documents

Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 08/14/2025