Posts Tagged ‘Narrow-ridged finless porpoise’
The little porpoise making big waves
No matter what your opinion on ex-situ conservation is (and they can be varying), there is no doubt that the project to “save” the critically endangered Yangtze finless porpoise from extinction is reaping some early rewards. This little porpoise is restricted to the middle and lower reaches of China’s Yangtze River (including two adjoining lakes)…
Read MoreSeaWorld’s “science” partner?
SeaWorld will likely counter the claim that they are not conducting science by noting their association with Hubbs SeaWorld Research Institute (HSWRI). Founded back in 1963 with their mission statement being “to return to the sea some measure of the benefits derived from it”, it was time to look a bit more closely at what…
Read MoreCashing in on China’s porpoises?
In a bid to try and avoid losing yet another species, China has initiated a scheme where people who report an injured or dead finless porpoise to the authorities can get a cash reward. The Yangtze finless porpoise is a sub-species of the narrow-ridged finless porpoise and is the world’s only freshwater porpoise, inhabiting as…
Read MoreNumber of species of cetacean now extinct 2 (?) – China 0
Despite being declared a Chinese “national treasure” and being protected since 1975, the world looked on in sorrow when the baiji (otherwise known as the Yangtze river dolphin) was declared extinct in 2007. The baiji, the first species of cetacean to become extinct at the hands of mankind but sadly, very likely not the last. …
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