Vanishing Sentinels: The Urgent Need to Protect Yangtze River Biodiversity for a Healthy Planet | Specimens of Baiji and Narrow-ridged Finless Porpoise as a Reminder

 

On March 31, 2024, Ms. Linda Wong, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF), attended an event on mainstreaming biodiversity at the National Zoological Museum. After the event, Linda Wong visited the museum's collection of animal specimens. She was impressed by the museum's collection. Look at those two specimens as the pics show --



(Pictures. ©Linda Wong, CBCGDF OceanWetlands Working Group)


These photos show the specimens of two cetacean species: the Yangtze river dolphin (Lipotes vexillifer) and the narrow-ridged finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis). 


In the photo, the two cetaceans are lying side by side on the display table. The one on the left is larger, white, has a longer snout, and a smaller dorsal fin. It is the Yangtze river dolphin. The one on the right is smaller, gray, has a shorter snout, and no dorsal fin. It is the narrow-ridged finless porpoise.

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Yangtze river dolphin：


The Yangtze river dolphin, also known as the baiji, is the only freshwater dolphin species in the world. They are about 1.4-2.5 meters long, weigh about 40-150 kilograms, and have a white body, a long snout, and a small dorsal fin. The Yangtze river dolphin is mainly distributed in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and is an important part of the Yangtze River ecosystem.


Narrow-ridged finless porpoise：


The narrow-ridged finless porpoise, also known as the Chinese white dolphin, is a small cetacean species. They are about 1-1.5 meters long, weigh about 30-50 kilograms, and have a gray body, a shorter snout, and no dorsal fin. The narrow-ridged finless porpoise is mainly distributed in the coastal waters of East Asia, including China, Japan, and South Korea.

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Specimens of Baiji and Narrow-ridged Finless Porpoise, once common inhabitants of the Yangtze River, now lie silently in museum displays. These silent sentinels serve as a stark reminder of the biodiversity crisis unfolding in this vital ecosystem. Their decline or even extinction is not just a loss for China's rich biodiversity, but a warning for the entire planet. 


Reported by Wendy

Editor: Samantha

Contact: v10@cbcgdf.org; +8617319454776

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