The Chinese Paddlefish Is Now Extinct
China's Yangtze River is the world's third-longest river. It is home to nearly 400 kinds of fish. However, the Chinese paddlefish, once common in the area, is no longer a member of this ecosystem. Scientists from China said recently that the fish had completely disappeared. The fish likely disappeared sometime between 2005 and 2010. "It's very sad," said Zeb Hogan, a U.S. biologist. "We've lost a special animal. There is no hope of recovery."
The Chinese paddlefish was one of the world's largest freshwater fish. It could grow to seven meters. The fish has a big nose that got it the nickname "elephant fish." The Chinese paddlefish was an ancient species. It first appeared in the Jurassic (侏罗纪) period. After existing for 200 million years, the species finally disappeared.
About 25 tons of Chinese paddlefish were caught each year during the 1970s. And in 1981, the building of the Gezhouba Dam divided the paddlefish into two groups. The two groups could not mate (交配) with each other. As a result, the species' population became even smaller.
Scientists warn that many freshwater fish species in the Yangtze River are in danger. The Chinese paddlefish was only the first to disappear. Luckily, China has taken action. In January, the country started a ten-year fishing ban (禁令) on the Yangtze River.
