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Baiji Dolphin (Lipotes vexillifer)
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Description: The Baiji (Lipotes vexillifer) was a freshwater dolphin found only in the Yangtze River in China. Nicknamed Goddess of the Yangtze, it was also called Chinese River Dolphin, Yangtze River Dolphin, Whitefin Dolphin & Yangtze Dolphin. Baiji were thought to breed in the first half of the year, the peak calving season being from February to April, with gestation lasting 10-11 months, resulting in a live birth of one calf. Calves measured 80-90 cm (32-35 in) at birth & nursed for 8-20 months. Mature males were about 2.3 m (7.5 ft) long & females were appoximately 2.5 m (8 ft) long. The animal weighed 135-230 kg (300-510 lb) with a lifespan estimated at 24 years in the wild. When escaping from danger, the Baiji could reach 60 km/h (37 mph), but usually stayed within 10-15 km/h (6-9 mph). Because of its poor vision & hearing, the Baiji relied mainly on sonar for navigation. The Baiji was last sighted in August 2004. It is listed as an endangered species by the U.S. government under the Endangered Species Act. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) has noted the following as threats to the species: Hunting by humans , entanglement in fishing equipment, electric fishing, collisions with boats & ships, habitat loss & pollution. The population was estimated at only 13 in 1997 & was declared functionally extinct in 2006 when an intensive expedition failed to find any Baiji in the Yangtze river, which would make it the first aquatic mammal species to become extinct since the demise of the Japanese Sea Lion & the Caribbean Monk Seal in the 1950s. R.I.P Baiji ~ 25 Million BC - 2006 AD.
Uploaded By: femcat38
Date: 11/15/2011
Views: 593
