Biology and Conservation of Freshwater Cetaceans in Asia (2000)

Abstract

During 1991–1997, five and three surveys were conducted in the middle and lower reaches, respectively, of the Yangtze River. The target species of the surveys included both the baiji (Lipotes vexillifer) and the finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides asiaeorientalis). Results indicate that the finless porpoise population has declined in recent years. To conserve finless porpoises in the Yangtze River, the following actions are recommended: 1) a breeding group should be established in the Shishou Baiji Seminatural Reserve; 2) natural reserves should be established in areas most frequented by the animals; and 3) research on captive breeding should be intensified.