The baiji is extinct

Sad, but more or less predicted. One of the great objections to the Three Gorges Dam, in fact, was that it would finish off the species. It has.

The Baiji is the first large mammal brought to extinction as a result of human destruction to their natural habitat and resources.

It won't be the last.

UPDATE:

(from Solomon)

I just wanted to put a photo up, because I like photos. Also, you can hear one baiji's whistle here. It's a very sad song, though. A lament.

UPDATE II:
Correction (from Gristmill):

Correction, 19 Dec 2006: This summary originally stated that the baiji was the first large aquatic mammal to be killed off by human activity. The Stellar's Sea Cow was actually the first.