QiQi, a rare baiji dolphin who was rescued from China's Yangtze River in 1980 after being beached and injured, died of old age in 2002. The baiji is now effectively extinct.

International expedition says hunting and pollution are responsible for baiji's absence in Chinese habitat.

The rare, nearly blind white dolphin that survived for millions of years is effectively extinct, an international expedition declared after ending a fruiyless six-week search of its Yangtze River habitat.

The baiji would be the first large aquatic mammal driven to extinction since hunting and overfishing killed off the Caribbean monk seal in the 1950's.

The baiji dates back to 20 million years. Chinese called it the "goddedd of the Yangtze." For China its disappearance symbolizes how unbridled economic growth is changing the country's environment irreparably.

The expedition was the most professional ever launched for the mammal. The team of 30 scientists and a crew from China, the United States and four other countries searched for a 1000 mile heavily traffiked stretch of the Yangtze, where the baiji once thrived.

At least 20 to 25 baiji would now be needed to give the species a chance to survive.


This information was obtained from The Globe and Mail,
Thursday, December 14, 2006

I am very sad to read this post.
Humans are the greatest predators on earth.
We have caused many species of animals to become extinct, and have placed many more on the endangered list. Sadly, we are destroying this beautiful planet that we live on.

Most of the sorrows of the earth humans cause for themselves.
Buddha

Thank you for posting. I feel very sorry that humans are destroying everything on earth.
May people have a bit more consideration and compassion for other beings and for the plants and trees.

Love,
Vicky

I read this sad news in the paper.
I wonder when we will stop causing everything to become extinct.
I am really sad about this.

Love,
Sue

Thank you for the post.
Hoping that human brains can be cured before it is too late.

Gisele

quite sad

Neat dolphinies here:
http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Jungle/3936/leftpage.html

http://www.dolphins.spirita.net/free-animated-dolphin-gifs.htm

These guys are so cute!




We love you beautiful dolphins!

Not all of us humans are devils...

Rest in peace beautiful Qiqi. Nice to have known you. Sending you love and peace. You are in God's love now. Amen.

Be Thankful for the Dolphins
Carma Haley Shoemaker


Do you ever wonder what the dolphins know? Do they know that it's Thanksgiving? Do they take extra time and move extra slow To show thanks for the life they are living?

Does mother earth hold their heads in her beautiful lap? Does she tell them to hang on strong? Do they know that we love them when they die in our trap? And that we mean to do them no wrong?

The little treasures of love, of life and of earth Sometimes get away from our view. If we take a moment to remember the hearth We'd know that dolphins have families, too.

Taking a moment to think of our globe In all that it has become, May cause us to wonder, question or probe, And ask, "What have we done?"


It was their world first, long before we evolved They were swimming and playing for days. We looked at their world and our problems were solved, "Divide and conquer" was our key phrase.

So while we move into our ocean view dwellings And gaze lovingly at the sea, Remember whose land we are buying and selling It didn't belong to you and me.

Do dolphins know that it is Thanksgiving? Do they know we have chosen our ways? Do they offer thanks for the life they are living? For their life could be ended in days...

Without these creatures and the others that live Upon this world that we mold The life that we know and we would never give Would not be so brass or so bold.

So, in your prayers and sayings of creed, Remember the ones we forsake. Make an apology to their kind and to their breed And give back that of which we take.


This poem was written in memory for all the dolphins that have met their demise due to human carelessness, greed, and senseless gain. It is also dedicated to all of those who have worked through many a holiday season to help protect the species of dolphins, and other endangered animals, by giving of themselves, without thought as to "why."