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 River…
Chinese River Dolphin
Chinese River Dolphin
Lipotes vexillifer
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
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 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 |
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In the Spotlight
Management Overview
In 1989, NOAA Fisheries listed Chinese river dolphins as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.