Chinese River Dolphin

Chinese River Dolphin

Lipotes vexillifer

chinese-river-dolphin.jpg

Protected Status

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

Quick Facts

Weight
500 pounds
Lifespan
About 25 years
Length
8 feet
Threats
Entanglement, Habitat degradation, Noise, Chemical contaminants, Vessel collisions
Location
Foreign
See Regulatory Actions

About The Species

The Chinese river dolphin is a freshwater dolphin and one of the most endangered animals on Earth. 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.

During November and December 2006, an international research team including biologists from NOAA Fisheries conducted an intensive six-week multi-vessel visual and acoustic survey covering the entire historical range of the Yangtze 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 Yangtze river dolphin may now be extinct.

Protected Status

ESA Endangered - Foreign

  • Throughout Its Range

CITES Appendix I

  • Throughout Its Range

MMPA Protected

  • Throughout Its Range

MMPA Depleted

  • Throughout Its Range

Scientific Classification

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

Management Overview

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

Key Actions and Documents

Actions & Documents Incidental Take

Chinese River Dolphin 5-year Review

In 1989, the Chinese river dolphin (Lipotes vexillifer), also called the Baiji or the Yangtze River dolphin, was listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. In this 5-year review, we conclude that the species is extremely close to, if not
Notice
,
National
Published

Listing of the Chinese River Dolphin under the Endangered Species Act

NOAA Fisheries has determined that the Chinese river dolphin (Lipotes vexillifer) should be listed as an endangered species according to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA). This determination is based on information contained in a petition to list
Final Rule
,
Foreign
Effective

More Information

Documents

Document

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

In 1989, the Chinese river dolphin (Lipotes vexillifer), also called the Baiji or the Yangtze…

National
More Documents