Yangtze river dolphin (Baiji)

The Yangtze River dolphin, also known as the Baiji, was a freshwater dolphin native to China's Yangtze River. It was once abundant but declined sharply due to habitat loss, pollution, and boat traffic. The Baiji was considered critically endangered, with efforts to find and protect it unsuccessful, and it is now regarded as functionally extinct, meaning no confirmed individuals remain. Its disappearance highlights the devastating impact human activity can have on freshwater ecosystems and emphasizes the need for conservation efforts to protect vulnerable species.