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"Chinese River Dolphin"

Chinese River Dolphin Results

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The Endangered Species Act: 50 Years of Conserving Species

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act by learning more about NOAA's work to conserve endangered species and their habitats.
May 19, 2023 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
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West Coast
National
50th Anniversary of the Endangered Species Act with smalltooth sawfish, green turtle, Atlantic salmon, staghorn, North Atlantic right whale, and Tubastraea floreana

50 Years of Protecting Marine Mammals

A look at the Marine Mammal Protection Act's many advancements and accomplishments in the last 50 years.
February 02, 2023 - Podcast ,
National
Pair of bottlenose dolphins Pair of bottlenose dolphins. Credit: NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center/Lisa Morse.

Celebrating 50 Years of the Marine Mammal Protection Act

NOAA Fisheries marks 50 years of marine mammal science, conservation, and recovery under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
July 30, 2022 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
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).

11 Cool Facts About Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises

Did you know these marine mammals are part of the cetacean family? Check out these facts to learn more.
February 16, 2021 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
finback image for 2020 whale week Finback whales. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

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
04/23/2024

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 species and it being extremely close to, if not already, extinct.
October 31, 2017 - ESA 5-Year Review ,
International

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.

Chinese river dolphin range map 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 10/30/2023

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
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

In the Spotlight

Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 10/30/2023

Management Overview

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

Key Actions and Documents

Actions & Documents

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 10/30/2023

Science Overview

Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 10/30/2023

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 10/30/2023

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