Chinese River Dolphin
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.
1
Species Common Name
Weight
500 pounds
Lifespan
About 25 years
Length
8 feet
Threats
Entanglement
Habitat degradation
Noise
Chemical contaminants
Vessel collisions
Sustainable Seafood
Not Sustainable Seafood
MMPA Depleted
- Throughout Its Range
CITES Appendix I
- Throughout Its Range
In 1989, NOAA Fisheries listed Chinese river dolphins as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.
Lipotes vexillifer
Animalia
Chordata
Mammalia
Cetacea
Lipotidae
vexillifer
Lipotes
Species Status
ESA Endangered - Foreign
CITES Appendix I
MMPA Protected
MMPA Depleted
ESA Endangered - Foreign
- Throughout Its Range
MMPA Protected
- Throughout Its Range
MMPA Measurement
stock
Species Profile Type
Protected