In November 2006, baiji.org Foundation organized in partnership with the Institute for Hydrobiology and Chinese administrations a survey of the baiji's entire range - following the conclusion of the international "Workshop on the Conservation of China's Baiji and Yangtze Finless Porpoise 2004" In order to ensure the best possible techniques and equipment are used for the range-wide expedition - baiji.org organized a pilot survey in March 2006.

Pilot Yangtze Freshwater Dolphin Expedition: March 2006

The pilot was a fundamental component of the Range-Wide (IHB-Baiji.org) Yangtze Freshwater Dolphin Expedition planned for Nov 06. The onboard training - given by world-class international cetacean specialists - prepared Chinese scientists with the necessary skills and expertise to provide Chinese decision-makers with a reliable data and information platform for designing and implementing conservation management factors for the entire Yangtze River and its critically endangered flagship inhabitants.

Starting on March 15th and finishing on March 22nd - by the UN designated as day for World Water, the pilot expedition was one of the most innovative human capacity building exercises in cetacean conservation history. One large research vessel took a team of international specialists and Chinese scientists on a 235km journey up the Yangtze River on a quest to discover the most effective method for finding and counting China's rare baiji river dolphins. On their way, they passed through a well known baiji-hotspot, where they would have spend five days deploying state-of-the-art acoustical baiji monitoring equipment and applying cutting-edge dolphin survey techniques in an effort to locate China's elusive National Treasure. 

Under the direction of leading cetacean specialists, Jay Barlow and Bob Pitman of SWFSC NOAA - the team exchanged ideas, developed expertise and collected vital data for developing the ultimate survey methodology to assess the status of this critically endangered mammal and the conservation needs of its threatened freshwater ecosystem.

Background

The baiji is the world's most endangered cetacean, it is listed as "Critically Endangered" by the IUCN Red List (IUCN, 1996), and its prospects for survival are considered to be extremely doubtful. The abundance of the baiji has shown a continuous decline since the 1970s and only a maximum of a few ten were thought to be left in 2006. 

It is today - after the expedition in 2006 - thought to be "Possibly Extinct" (IUCN, 2008). 

Problem

Chinese biologists conducted the last survey of the whole range of the baiji more than 10 years ago in 1997, recording 13 individuals (Zhang et al., 2003). Since this time no abundance surveys of the entire range of the species have been conducted due to lack of funds. 

Baiji.org-IHB Initiative

It was planned to conduct a status assessment survey to collect scientifically robust data on distribution, abundance and density of the baiji and Yangtze finless porpoise.

1. Establish priority areas for conservation based on cetacean abundance and density.
2. Estimate density and abundance of the Yangtze River dolphin;
3. Estimate density and abundance of the Yangtze finless porpoise;
4. Evaluate declines in the extent of occurrence and area of occupancy of Yangtze River dolphin and Yangtze finless porpoise;
5. Assess habitat quality, disturbance and threats to cetaceans in the Yangtze River;
6. Describe Yangtze River dolphin fluvial habitat preferences; and
7. Encourage cooperation among Asian river cetacean scientists
8. Raise awareness of the global freshwater challenge.

Significance

Updated information on the status of the baiji would have allowed decisions to be made regarding the best remaining avenues for conserving the species (Workshop on the Conservation of China's Baiji River Dolphin and Yangtze Finless Porpoise 2004) and highlighted hotspots where future conservation activities would have been targeted to be most effective.

Get Involved

Governments, NGOs and corporations must work together and act now to reduce the unsustainable pressure being placed on the Baiji's freshwater habitat. Baiji.org Foundation invites you to jump on board and join this urgent research effort. If your organization would like to get involved or support the 2006 Yangtze Expedition please e-mail us at contact@baiji.org