The Baiji Dolphin

These dolphins were officially extinct a long time ago. How come? Well, basically we did it. Pollution, electric fishing, etc. In 2006, they were officially and functionally declared extinct. There is another species that looks very similar to the Baiji Dolphin, the Finless Porpoises which are also incredibly endangered, but, unlike its counterpart, it is still alive.

The Baiji Dolphin are carnivores that usually eats freshwater fish. But dolphins have bad eyesight, the Baiji Dolphin particularly so they get their food is by using echolocation. Baiji Dolphins have long beaks as well that allow them to find food sources at the bottom of the muddy waters. Going back to echolocation, the Baiji Dolphins use that method to communicate with other dolphins. as well as clicking, and whistling sounds. They are actually a little more timid than regular dolphins, and the Baiji Dolphins would prefer being in a group.

The Baiji Dolphin would fit in the Tertiary section. To explain why, let's first start with the fact that the Sun is on the bottom of the pyramid, which is the Primary Producer. The plants in the river gains the energy from the sun, going under the Primary Consumer section. The plants are then eaten by fish, which falls into the secondary producers, being a herbivore, or a heterotroph. Now, the Baiji Dolphins eat the fish making the dolphins go into the tertiary section, being a carnivore, or consumer. Humans are apex predators. People can hunt for fish and Baiji Dolphins. They are actually the biggest reason why the Baiji Dolphin is now extinct.

Food helped the Baiji Dolphin stay alive for a little longer before going extinct. They usually preyed on various types of freshwater fish, making the dolphins a carnivore. However, the Baiji Dolphin’s shelter - the Yangtze River - was destroyed because of pollution. This killed off the Baiji Dolphin because the pollution destroyed the fish, and the water that they lived in, which was once actually fresh. Not only was there pollution ruining the habitat of the Baiji Dolphin, but people electrically fished for the dolphins, making humans the biggest reason why the Baiji Dolphins went extinct.