Yangtze River dolphins, also known as Baiji, have splashed in the waters of Chinas Yangtze River for millions of years. The Chinese people have always loved these mammals. They considered the Baiji to be a beautiful part of their river, and they have told many stories about them. Today, the Yangtze is a very different place. Trash floats in the water, and toxic chemicals pollute it. Thousands of boats travel up and down the river every day, and people use dangerous fishing equipment with sharp rolling hooks. The Yangtze River is no longer a safe place for the Baiji to live. Most of them have died out. Scientists worry that it might be too late for these dolphins. Is there any way to save them?

Samuel Turvey here tells the story of the plight of the Yangtze River Dolphin from his unique perspective as a conservation biologist deeply involved in the struggle to save this species. His book is at once a celebration of a beautiful and remarkable animal that once graced one of China's greatest rivers; a study of the dolphin's natural history and its role as a cultural symbol; and a personal, eyewitness account of the failure to obtain funds that led to the dolphin's demise.

Toothed whales occur in a wide range of marine and freshwater habitats, from the Arctic to the tropics. Some species live in large river systems such as the Amazon, Ganges, Indus and Yangtze. This encyclopedia on all 72 species of toothed whales includes the most recent scientific findings on the distribution, migration, behaviour and threats to this group of whales.

'Witness to Extinction' tells the story of the plight of the Yangtze River dolphin. It is both a celebration of a remarkable animal that once graced China's greatest river, and a personal, eyewitness account of the failures of policy and the struggle to get funds that led to the tragic demise of a species.

This compilation brings together current information on the status of Asian freshwater cetacean populations, the factors that have caused their recent declines, and what can be done to improve their chances for survival. Includes papers on water development issues, the Yangtze River Dolphin (Baiji), the Ganges River Dolphin (Susu), and porpoises. In the final section, five papers address methods of studying freshwater cetaceans.