Giant Chinese paddlefish is declared extinct due to overfishing and habitat loss

Giant Chinese paddlefish dubbed the 'Panda of the Yangtze River' is declared extinct due to overfishing and habitat loss

China has declared its giant paddlefish, dubbed 'the Panda of the Yangtze River' for its enormous size, extinct following decades of overfishing.

According to scientists at the Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Psephurus gladius, which can grow to 22 feet in length, went extinct between 2005 and 2010.

Extinction has been caused by overfishing since the 1970s and humans destroying their habitat. Pollution and urbanisation also played a role in their demise.

There were only 210 sightings of 'the giant panda of the rivers' between 1981 and January 2003, when the last live specimen was found and released back into the river.

dailymail,sciencetech,China,Giant Chinese paddlefish,Chinese paddlefish,Chinese paddlefish in Yangtze River,chinese paddlefish diet,chinese paddlefish vs american paddlefish,chinese paddlefish record,chinese paddlefish 2019,chinese paddlefish extinct,