Chinese Kill Off River Dolphin

The baiji, a type of dolphin that lived in the Yangtze River in China, is now functionally extinct. Its habitat is destroyed by pollution and the Chinese disregard for preservation of animals.

From the AP here:

BEIJING – A rare, nearly blind white dolphin that survived for millions of years is effectively extinct, an international expedition declared Wednesday after ending a fruitless six-week search of its Yangtze River habitat.

The baiji dates back 20 million years. Chinese called it the “goddess of the Yangtze.” For China, its disappearance symbolizes how unbridled economic growth is changing the country’s environment irreparably, some environmentalists say.

Around 400 baiji were believed to be living in the Yangtze in the early 1980s, when China was just launching the free-market reforms that have transformed its economy. The last full-fledged search, in 1997, yielded 13 confirmed sightings, and a fisherman claimed to have seen a baiji in 2004.

At least 20 to 25 baiji would now be needed to give the species a chance to survive, said Wang.

At least the Chinese killed them with pollution rather than forcing them to fight to the death.