BAIJI DOLPHINS - Pilot Expedition 2006

Baiji.org has a detailed report (with pictures) on the recent Pilot 06 expedition to search for the Baiji Dolphins. This expedition was a learning exercise prelude to a full expedition in November 2006.

From 17th to 25th March 2006, an international team of specialists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Wuhan Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB), Swiss EAWAG Institute and US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) led a Pilot Freshwater Dolphin Expedition along China’s Yangtze River to develop survey methodology to find the critically endangered baiji and finless porpoise. The findings of the Pilot Expedition will be used to maximise the results of the wide range Expedition of November 06

The team spent nine days aboard a large dolphin research vessel, travelling 235km along the Yangtze between the densely populated riverside cities of Wuhan and Yueyang; testing survey methodology, deploying acoustical monitoring equipment, and sampling river water quality in an effort to better understand China’s rare baiji river dolphin and its ever developing freshwater habitat.
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The team are in the process of producing a detailed Pilot Yangtze Freshwater Dolphin Expedition Survey Design Report. This will be available to download from the baiji.org website on April 20th.

Read the full story here.