Background

For many years the IHB have worked with reserve staff and local fishermen to conduct research on the ecology, behaviour and movement of baiji and porpoises within the reserves. This work has increased understanding of the biology of these little known freshwater cetaceans and the threats that they face. It has also generated much needed reliable scientific data for formulating and refining the baiji and porpoise conservation action plan.

Problem – Lack of Resources

In recent years budgetary constraints have meant that scientific research has had to be suspended. There is still little known about the behaviour and movement of these cetaceans and factors causing their decline and this makes it difficult for scientists to protect them effectively. As the populations are continuing to decline, it is more critical that questions related to movements, behaviour, habitat use and reproduction of the baiji and finless porpoise are answered.

baiji.org-IHB Proposed Initiative

bajii.org proposes to re-design the existing research programme to answer new questions directly related to conservation of the species. Research methods will be standardized using internationally accepted methods to ensure the quality and relevance of the data. IUCN recommendations for future research techniques, including photographic identification and acoustical monitoring will be incorporated into the research work. Representatives from local and international eco-tourism companies will also be trained to collect basic scientific information during their tours. This will have the dual benefits of increasing awareness of endangered freshwater cetaceans and will also generate basic data on cetacean distribution throughout the year.

Activities

The research activities will include the following:

1. Describe the abundance and behaviour of both baiji and finless porpoises
2. Photographic identification and acoustic monitoring (voice recording) to accurately describe distribution, habitat use and movement patterns.
3. Monitor fishing and other human activities in the river.
4. Monitor dolphin habitat and quantify environmental change.
5. Conducting statistical analyses on all data.
6. Re-establish links between baiji monitoring stations to coordinate data collection
7. Train eco-tourism groups to collect basic data on cetacean distribution.

Significance

The data generated from this research will give scientists a greater understanding of the movements, behaviour and ecology of the baiji and Yangtze finless porpoise. This information will allow conservationists to formulate more effective conservation protection measures. Information on baiji distribution and areas of high density will allow targeting of the translocation programme thus improving its efficiency. Opening the programme to eco-tourism groups will help raise national and international awareness of the baiji’s plight. It will also generate much needed funding for the programme.