Men claims he saw extinct dolphin.
Baiji is a species of extinct dolphin which a few men claim they spotted in Yangtze River a week ago. According to amateur conservationist Song Qi, the dolphin was seen on October 4th, during a seven-day expedition which aimed to find the mammal.
It is worth mentioning that the dolphin was not only spotted by Song, but also by several fishers who happened to be around when the large animal popped out of the water. However, experts and wildlife officials are still skeptical as for whether that was indeed the baiji Chinese dolphin.
If Song and his team turn out to be right, then this means great news for the wildlife community because an extinct dolphin would have chances to breed in specially designed facilities.
Back in 2006, a group of researchers conducted an extensive 6-week survey during which they weren’t able to spot the animal, so they declared it extinct. The baiji dolphin population suffered a staggering drop down in their population in the late 20th century.
More precisely, since 1979 until 1990s only 13 specimens remained out of 400 specimens. There is a large array of causes that led to the extinction of this mammal such as excessive fishing, chemical plant pollution, dams, and boat collisions just to name a few.
In other words, human impact due to local fisheries and pollution had a devastating effect on the dolphin’s population. Despite several efforts to save this species, the last baiji dolphin was seen in 2002.
Since then, a 2007 false alarm caught the experts’ attention until they concluded the mysterious animal was just a finless porpoise. Based on the statistics, the baiji dolphin is the latest large aquatic mammal declared extinct since the 1950s when human excess led to the extinction of the Caribbean monk seal.
Song has confessed that he is no baiji expert but believes that what he witnessed might be the proof that the extinct dolphin would still live somewhere in the Chinese rivers. Unfortunately, neither he nor his friends were able to take a clear picture of the enigmatic mammal.
According to Samuel Turvey, a conservation biologist at the Zoological Society London, it is unlikely that Song witnessed a baiji dolphin. Samuel further adds that solid proof is needed in order to reconsider the fact that an extinct dolphin is still alive although it would cheer up the entire conservationist community.
Image Source: Facts About
Michael Turner
