The rare Pink Dolphin or ‘Chinese White Dolphin’ are facing extinction after population numbers are dropping dramatically in Hong Kong waters. Conservationists are pleading for urgent action to be taken against pollution in which they believe is the biggest threat to these rare creatures.
The Age reports on the story “Their numbers in Hong Kong waters have fallen form an estimated 158 in 2003 to just 78 in 2011 with a further decline expected…” The Hong Kong Dolphin Society
“It is up to the government ad every Hong Kong citizen to stand up for dolphins. We risk loosing them unless we all take action” says Samuel Huang (Society Chairman)
In the end of April a ‘Dolphinwatch’ Tours witnessed a group of the pink Dolphins assisting a mother support the body of its dead calf. A video was taken and it went viral around Facebook and YouTube.
Janet Walker, Spokeswoman from the Tour group reported “We’re 99% certain the calf died form toxins in the mothers milk, accumulated form polluted seawater”
Experts have placed theblame on the significant drop in numbers on five main issues:
- Overfishing
- Increase in marine traffic
- Water pollution
- Habitat loss
- Coastal development
There are also new plans on developing a third lane runway on the Hong Kong international Airport. Mr. Huang believed this would place further strain on the Pink Dolphins already interrupted habitat.
More information on the pollutionof the Hong Kong waters would have been useful in understanding this story and the impact on the Dolphins, such as what kind of pollution. Are there environmental actions being taken against the pollution? The Age did not cover the story as well as it could have. It is lacking vital information for the understanding of the full consequence of this pollutionor is it marine traffic causing the problem? The direct quotes form the Dolphinwatch team does however give depth to the report and viability.
kourtneejade 