Chinese pink dolphins (Sousa chinensis)) are making a comeback in the Pearl river estuary, one of the most heavily industrialised areas on Earth.
Chinese pink dolphins
- Pink dolphins have seen a decline in their numbers in the past 15 years by 70-80 per cent. Dolphins use echolocation to find their way in water.
- Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins, also known as Chinese white dolphins or pink dolphins – reflecting their real colour – have been hit hard by overfishing, water pollution and numerous ferries and boats.
- The species is closely associated with the estuarine mixing zone between the river and the ocean.
- The population inhabiting the Pearl River Estuary, including Hong Kong, is believed to number around 2,500 individuals.
Pearl River estuary
- The Pearl River estuary includes Hong Kong, Macau as well as the mainland Chinese cities of Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Dongguan. Some 22 million people live in the area.
- The estuary is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.
(Source: Down to Earth, Guardian and WWF)
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