The Yangtze river dolphin is [now extinct](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6935343.stm). I really wish the Chinese people had learned from the mistakes we have made in the past, and attempted to steer their boom in ecologically sound ways; but I guess greed is very human. As one of the consequences, the “baiji” is now extinct.
>”The Yangtze river dolphin was a remarkable mammal that separated from all other species over 20 million years ago,” Dr Turvey explained.
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>”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.”
You may recall the Yangtze river dolphin was one of the animals that Douglas Adams sought out for his book “Last Chance to See”. Last Chance to See is a wonderful book, and I think it was Adam’s finest work. It certainly seemed to be one he cared about a great deal, and in some small way it’s maybe good for him that he doesn’t have to hear the sad news. If you haven’t read the book, you should do so. You won’t regret it – it has a strong ecological message, but it’s also a really great travelogue full of the trademark Adams humor.
