5 Recently Extinct Animals You Might Not Know About

3. The Yangtze River Dolphin: Silence in the Waters

The Yangtze River dolphin, also known as the baiji, was a freshwater dolphin species endemic to the Yangtze River in China. Once abundant, the baiji's population plummeted due to industrialization, pollution, and increased river traffic. Despite being declared functionally extinct in 2006, a comprehensive survey in 2007 failed to find any surviving individuals. The extinction of the baiji is a poignant example of how rapid economic development and environmental neglect can lead to the irreversible loss of a species. It highlights the urgent need for sustainable practices that balance human progress with the preservation of natural habitats.