Extinction threat faced by pink dolphins in waters around Hong Kong far greater than expected, study finds
Research by HKU shows not enough ideal habitat under protection, while population is ‘fast approaching its viability threshold’
Pink dolphins in the Pearl River estuary face a far greater extinction threat than previously thought, with crucial habitats in the area disappearing and the species population declining at an annual rate of 2.5 per cent, a study has found.
Researchers from the University of Hong Kong concluded that the Chinese white dolphin – also known as pink dolphins – “face extinction” as not much of their natural environment in Hong Kong and the mainland were under legal protection.
Watch: A look at the dwindling habitat of Hong Kong's Chinese white dolphin
“Unfortunately, our findings indicate that the estuary dolphin population is facing extinction unless effective conservation measures can rapidly reverse the trend,” Dr Leszek Karczmarski, associate professor at HKU’s school of biological sciences, said.
“For conservationists and management authorities, the time to act is now,” he added.