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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 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 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 claims of sightings of the Chinese river dolphin, but it is unlikely that a few individuals would be able to perpetuate the species considering the existing threats in the Yangtze River and the survival potential of small populations.

Where They Live

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 03/21/2025

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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

We are required by the Endangered Species Act to conduct 5-year reviews of all listed species. The 5-year review must be based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review. We previously requested submission of any such…
Notice,
Foreign
Published

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,
Foreign
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

Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 03/21/2025

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 03/21/2025