Comments on: Not Quite Gone?

By: youcantryreachingme

youcantryreachingme — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 22:38:32 +0000

But the reality is, with an animal that size, in limited, polluted habitat, even were a few discovered it would be a complete struggle to save it.

Functionally extinct.

By: TheHunter

TheHunter — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 21:56:23 +0000

I see a reminiscence of propaganda in this statement. Too little, too late!!? Let’s hope not. I must stay with Loren’s mindset that “6 weeks is far too shy of counting a species extinct”. This statement mirrors my inner skeptic.

By: mystery_man

mystery_man — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 14:55:04 +0000

It is very noble of them to say that they will make every effort to save the species if they still exist. However, why doesn’t this ever happen before they are nearly wiped out? It was not some big secret that their numbers were reducing and they were in trouble. The habitat destruction was horrendous, and this has been a long time coming. It is unfortunate that it takes their functional extinction to use “every effort” to save them. If every effort had been made before, maybe this fascinating species would not be on the verge of blinking out forever more.

By: elsanto

elsanto — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 04:36:42 +0000

What I find laughable is the attempt that has now begun to “save” the Yangtze finless porpoise, of which the survey conducted to find the Baiji found 400. Were it any country other than China, I’d almost think they’d have a chance to make a comeback…

By: youcantryreachingme

youcantryreachingme — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 22:57:35 +0000

Thanks for the insight Kelly.

Wang Ding is quoted: “We will try every effort to save them as long as it is not announced to be extinct”

Well – it won’t be announced for at least another 48 years, so s/he better get cracking!

Mongabay has a second Baiji Dolphin article with photos.

Chris.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 18:01:03 +0000

I travel to backwoods China for business and have noticed how incredibly filthy the rivers and estuaries are. They dump EVERYTHING in them and then enter them to swim and bathe. I can see why so many diseases start in China. The people are nice but the waters are deadly.

By: sadisticgreen

sadisticgreen — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 16:52:27 +0000

Surely a far better response to this situation would be: “We will find what EXACTLY is killing (has killed) these dolphins and put a definite and permanent stop to it and begin prosecutions on all companies/individuals found to be directly responsible for this ecological disaster.” But then of course how would the rich get richer?!