First extinction of a large vertebrate in over 50 years

M GO BLUE!!! · 08-07-2007, 07:47 PM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6935343.stm

Rare river dolphin 'now extinct'
A freshwater dolphin found only in China is now "likely to be extinct", a team of scientists has concluded.

The researchers failed to spot any Yangtze river dolphins, also known as baijis, during an extensive six-week survey of the mammals' habitat.

The team, writing in the Royal Society Biology Letters journals, blamed unregulated fishing as the main reason behind the dolphins' demise.

It would be the first extinction of a large vertebrate for over 50 years.

The World Conservation Union's Red List of Threaten Species currently classifies the creature as "critically endangered".

Sam Turvey of the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), one of the paper's co-authors, described the findings as a "shocking tragedy".

"The Yangtze river dolphin was a remarkable mammal that separated from all other species over 20 million years ago," Dr Turvey explained.

"This extinction represents the disappearance of a complete branch of the evolutionary tree of life and emphasises that we have yet to take full responsibility in our role as guardians of the planet."

'Incidental impact'

The species (Lipotes vexillifer) was the only remaining member of the Lipotidae, an ancient mammal family that is understood to have separated from other marine mammals, including whales, dolphins and porpoises, about 40-20 million years ago.

The white, freshwater dolphin had a long, narrow beak and low dorsal fin; lived in groups of three or four and fed on fish.

The team carried out six-week visual and acoustic survey, using two research vessels, in November and December 2006.

"While it is conceivable that a couple of surviving individuals were missed by the survey teams," the team wrote, "our inability to detect any baiji despite this intensive search effort indicates that the prospect of finding and translocating them to a [reserve] has all but vanished."

The scientists added that there were a number of human activities that caused baiji numbers to decline, including construction of dams and boat collisions.

"However, the primary factor was probably unsustainable by-catch in local fisheries, which used rolling hooks, nets and electrofishing," they suggested.

"Unlike most historical-era extinctions of large bodied animals, the baiji was the victim not of active persecution but incidental mortality resulting from massive-scale human environmental impacts - primarily uncontrolled and unselective fishing," the researchers concluded.

Rizon · 08-07-2007, 07:49 PM

If dolphins are so smart, why do they live in igloos?

Crim · 08-07-2007, 07:55 PM

If yer catching dolphins, I think it's called "mammaling", not fishing. Sheesh. They call these guys the experts?

cthomer5000 · 08-07-2007, 07:59 PM

I remember reading about this a year ago when I think they came up with none on that expedition... obviously the situation hsan't improved. bummer.

Groundhog · 08-07-2007, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crim

If yer catching dolphins, I think it's called "mammaling", not fishing. Sheesh. They call these guys the experts?

If the good lord had intended for us to NOT eat the river dolphins, he wouldn't have made them out of food.

Pyser · 08-07-2007, 08:32 PM

youll be missed, animal ive never heard of or seen.

Young Drachma · 08-07-2007, 08:50 PM

mmm, river dolphin.

Young Drachma · 08-07-2007, 08:51 PM

Maybe the species that go extinct should put out lots of posthumous albums like Tupac and Biggie. Then National Geographic can do an ESPN-like "Who's Not Now" competition to decide which extinct animal is the most "not now".

Crim · 08-07-2007, 08:54 PM

I vote mosquitos to go extinct next. And beef liver.

Swaggs · 08-07-2007, 09:32 PM

Sad.

Coffee Warlord · 08-07-2007, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crim

I vote mosquitos to go extinct next. And beef liver.

Why is it all the shitty creatures never die out?

MrBug708 · 08-07-2007, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swaggs

Sad.

+1

JeffNights · 08-07-2007, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swaggs

Sad.

+2

Sometimes its also sad to see how freaking ANNOYINGLY sarcastic and childish this board is.

Crim · 08-07-2007, 10:33 PM

Surtt · 08-08-2007, 12:10 AM

So long, and thanks for all the fish.

This really is sad.
I wonder if they have DNA samples and could someday bring them back.

Schmidty · 08-08-2007, 01:58 AM

No pathetic, typical FOFC attempt at humor:

This is fucking sad, and there is more of the same to come, without a doubt.

Extinctions happen a lot naturally, but this is an example of humans being the obvious cause of it. We should be ashamed.

Mike1409 · 08-08-2007, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crim

If yer catching dolphins, I think it's called "mammaling", not fishing. Sheesh. They call these guys the experts?

At that point I WAS a marine biologist!

Karlifornia · 08-08-2007, 03:06 AM

Sad, but definitely not surprising.

Subby · 08-08-2007, 07:47 AM

Wikipedia has a pretty good entry for them.

RendeR · 08-08-2007, 08:36 AM

While it is sad that humanity caused the loss of this creature. It isn't a world ending event nor is it a huge example of where we're headed either.

Extinctions happen, and will continue to do so for numerous reasons.

Whats really sad is that nothing was ever really done to protect these animals and get a large enough population in captivity to keep them around.

As for the jokes, this is FOFC, its going to happen, get over your self inflicted angst.

Eaglesfan27 · 08-08-2007, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surtt

So long, and thanks for all the fish.

This really is sad.

My first and second thought as well..

Kodos · 08-08-2007, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RendeR

As for the jokes, this is FOFC, its going to happen, get over your self inflicted angst.

You telling ANYONE to get rid of their angst is pretty ironic, sir.

It's a sad development. It's easy to be flippant about it, but I hope when the aliens come and eliminate us, you'll be able to shrug it off just as easily.

RendeR · 08-08-2007, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kodos

You telling ANYONE to get rid of their angst is pretty ironic, sir.

It's a sad development. It's easy to be flippant about it, but I hope when the aliens come and eliminate us, you'll be able to shrug it off just as easily.

See alien boy, you never did understnad me. I'm not angst ridden, I'm ANGRY, there is a huge diference

And if and when you're relatives come to devour us, I hope they sautee me in a nice oriental sauce.

All joking aside I find it just rediculous that people get personally emotionally damaged by the loss of a single species. No matter the situation, it happens, and has happened billions of times over. its not a shocking event.

Warhammer · 08-08-2007, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RendeR

And if and when you're relatives come to devour us, I hope they sautee me in a nice oriental sauce.

I'll suggest whipping cream. At least that's what my wife says I go good with.

Telle · 08-08-2007, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RendeR

All joking aside I find it just rediculous that people get personally emotionally damaged by the loss of a single species. No matter the situation, it happens, and has happened billions of times over. its not a shocking event.

But... they're so darn cute! We've lost something that's adorable.. it's a travesty!!

Now while I do think that any man-caused extinction is a horrible thing and something that the world needs to be working much harder to avoid, I do find it very interesting that people tend to get much more up in arms about extinction and endangered-status of "cute" animals. You don't see a lot of people campaigning to save "ugly" animals.. it's always pandas or tigers or whales or something. Most always mammals.. although occasionally a majestic bird of prey or some cool looking tree frog. Just an interesting look into human behavior.

Telle · 08-08-2007, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warhammer

I'll suggest whipping cream. At least that's what my wife says I go good with.

Too messy. Try frosting instead.

RendeR · 08-08-2007, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warhammer

I'll suggest whipping cream. At least that's what my wife says I go good with.

Telle prefers chocolate syrup.....

*prepares to be killed for posting such a thing...*

Warhammer · 08-08-2007, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Telle

Too messy. Try frosting instead.

Frosting is much too sticky...

Mustang · 08-08-2007, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RendeR

Telle prefers chocolate syrup.....

On Warhammer?

Or your War hammer?

Telle · 08-08-2007, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warhammer

Frosting is much too sticky...

Just requires a little extra effort to get it all cleaned off

RendeR · 08-08-2007, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mustang

On Warhammer?

Or your War hammer?

I consider it my "Rod of Power"

God I can't believe I just made a sexual innuendo related to warhammer........

st.cronin · 08-08-2007, 09:39 AM

Huh, I call it my "Martin Short."

Telle · 08-08-2007, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RendeR

God I can't believe I just made a sexual innuendo related to warhammer........

Yeah, that really is pretty sad

DanGarion · 08-08-2007, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmidty

No pathetic, typical FOFC attempt at humor:

This is fucking sad, and there is more of the same to come, without a doubt.

Extinctions happen a lot naturally, but this is an example of humans being the obvious cause of it. We should be ashamed.

Why should we be? I had nothing to do with this dolphin going extinct. The idiots that did this should be ashamed. I take no responsibility in their actions and condemn them for it.

Mustang · 08-08-2007, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RendeR

I consider it my "Rod of Power"

God I can't believe I just made a sexual innuendo related to warhammer........

I'm worse. I thought you were making a sexual innuendo related to D&D...

Warhammer · 08-08-2007, 10:05 AM

I can just see a teenage RendeR in the bathroom. Parents want to know what is taking so long, "Just polishing my Rod of Power, mom!"

RendeR · 08-08-2007, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warhammer

I can just see a teenage RendeR in the bathroom. Parents want to know what is taking so long, "Just polishing my Rod of Power, mom!"

This is wrong on so many levels I refuse to continue this conversation.....

Mateo · 08-08-2007, 08:45 PM

Yangtze River dolphin: We Hardly Knew Ye...

*sniff*

08-07-2007, 08:50 PM	#7
Young Drachma Dark Cloud Join Date: Apr 2001	mmm, river dolphin. __________________ Current dynasty: Playtesting chaos (Viperball 26) \| OOTP Mod: Managerial Strategy Files \| GM Excel Competitive Balance Tax/Revenue Sharing Calc \| FBCB Mods on Github

08-07-2007, 08:51 PM	#8
Young Drachma Dark Cloud Join Date: Apr 2001	Maybe the species that go extinct should put out lots of posthumous albums like Tupac and Biggie. Then National Geographic can do an ESPN-like "Who's Not Now" competition to decide which extinct animal is the most "not now". __________________ Current dynasty: Playtesting chaos (Viperball 26) \| OOTP Mod: Managerial Strategy Files \| GM Excel Competitive Balance Tax/Revenue Sharing Calc \| FBCB Mods on Github

08-07-2007, 09:32 PM	#10
Swaggs Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000	Sad. __________________ DOWN WITH HATTRICK!!! The RWBL Are you reading In The Bleachers?

08-08-2007, 12:10 AM	#15
Surtt College Benchwarmer Join Date: Nov 2003	So long, and thanks for all the fish. This really is sad. I wonder if they have DNA samples and could someday bring them back. __________________ “The greatest dangers to liberty lurk in insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well-meaning but without understanding.” United States Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis Last edited by Surtt : 08-08-2007 at 12:11 AM.

08-08-2007, 01:58 AM	#16
Schmidty Coordinator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Early, TX	No pathetic, typical FOFC attempt at humor: This is fucking sad, and there is more of the same to come, without a doubt. Extinctions happen a lot naturally, but this is an example of humans being the obvious cause of it. We should be ashamed. Last edited by Schmidty : 08-08-2007 at 01:58 AM.

08-07-2007, 08:32 PM	#6
Pyser Pro Rookie Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Los Angeles	youll be missed, animal ive never heard of or seen.

08-08-2007, 03:06 AM	#18
Karlifornia Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: San Jose, CA	Sad, but definitely not surprising. __________________ Look into the mind of a crazy man (NSFW) http://www.whitepowerupdate.wordpress.com

08-08-2007, 07:47 AM	#19
Subby lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: sans pants	Wikipedia has a pretty good entry for them. __________________ Superman was flying around and saw Wonder Woman getting a tan in the nude on her balcony. Superman said I going to hit that real fast. So he flys down toward Wonder Woman to hit it and their is a loud scream. The Invincible Man scream what just hit me in the ass!!!!! I do shit, I take pictures, I write about it: chrisshue.com

08-08-2007, 08:36 AM	#20
RendeR Coordinator Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Buffalo, NY	While it is sad that humanity caused the loss of this creature. It isn't a world ending event nor is it a huge example of where we're headed either. Extinctions happen, and will continue to do so for numerous reasons. Whats really sad is that nothing was ever really done to protect these animals and get a large enough population in captivity to keep them around. As for the jokes, this is FOFC, its going to happen, get over your self inflicted angst. __________________ http://wotlabs.net/s...8/signature.png http://wotlabs.net/sig_dark/na/banichi18/signature.png

08-08-2007, 09:39 AM	#32
st.cronin General Manager Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: New Mexico	Huh, I call it my "Martin Short." __________________ co-commish: bb-bbcf.net knives out

08-08-2007, 10:05 AM	#36
Warhammer Pro Starter Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Dayton, OH	I can just see a teenage RendeR in the bathroom. Parents want to know what is taking so long, "Just polishing my Rod of Power, mom!"

08-08-2007, 08:45 PM	#38
Mateo Mascot Join Date: Jan 2007	Yangtze River dolphin: We Hardly Knew Ye... *sniff*

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