Dolphins might not be the first thing on your mind when you think about China’s seas, much less the fact that they can be pink! However, these playful creatures can be found off the shores of Hong Kong and in the Pearl River Delta region, which opens up into the South China Sea. More formally, they’re called Chinese white dolphins (Sousa chinensis).
Young dolphins of this species are usually gray and eventually become white or pink as adults. Interestingly, their pinkish color is believed to have come from blood vessels at the surface of their skin, instead of pigments in the skin itself. These dolphins are relatively small, around 2.8 meters (~9 ft) in length.
During the 1997 transfer of Hong Kong’s sovereignty to China, Chinese white dolphins actually beat the giant panda in a vote for Hong Kong’s mascot! Despite its popularity, though, recent activities have placed its population at risk.
Dolphins in Danger
In 2017, the Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society (HKDCS) estimated that there were 47 Chinese white dolphins living near the city. There are only 1,200 in the Pearl River Delta region, from an estimated 2,600 (both locations combined) in 2008. Last December, its status on the IUCN Red List was upgraded from “near threatened” to “vulnerable”.
Nonetheless, this drastic population drop can be attributed to overfishing, water pollution, heavy marine traffic, and coastal development. Over seventy ships cross the Pearl River Delta region every hour, adding their pollutants to the mix of toxic materials that flow down the Pearl River from the rest of China. Furthermore, industrial land reclamation has caused extreme habitat destruction and habitat loss. It’s the process of creating more land by adding rocks to the shore, often dislodging toxins that had settled at the bottom of the river.
The situation has only worsened during the construction of the highway between Hong Kong and Macau, which was completed earlier this year. On top of that, a third airport runway is being built. Researchers are worried about whether Chinese white dolphins will completely disappear from the region.
Over 110 dolphins have washed up on Hong Kong’s beaches in the last four years, nearly all of them dead.
Currently, groups such as the HKDCS and Hong Kong Dolphinwatch are trying to help by funding studies and raising public awareness. A protected marine park has been proposed, but the earliest opening date is estimated to be 2023. Unfortunately, it might be too late by then.
How to Help (Adopt a Dolphin):
https://www.wwf.org.hk/en/reslib/species/chiwhitedolphin/yoursupport/
Sources:
https://www.cnn.com/2017/09/21/asia/hong-kong-dolphins/index.html
https://www.hong-kong-traveller.com/pink-dolphins.html
https://www.dolphins-world.com/chinese-white-dolphin/
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/29/hong-kongs-pink-dolphins-under-threat-from-airport-and-macau-bridge
http://us.whales.org/case-study/saving-chinese-white-dolphin
It was cool to learn about these pink dolphins. Its also cool that they change colors as they age. I would like to see them im person. It is horrible that this spieces is becoming endangered. I think that the government should make the laws stricter.
Wow, I’ve only thought that dolphins lived in tropical places! I also did not know pink ones exist. It’s so sad to hear that they’re population is in danger. I’ve been to Hong Kong a few times and have never spotted one. I hope to see one on my next trip!
I was not fortunate to see Dolphins although I go to Hong Kong every year. This is heartbreaking though to hear that they now “vulnerable”. I hope that they can save the dolphins by polluting less and I would like to try to see them next year. I find it amazing though that people voted the white dolphin to be the mascot instead of the panda in 1997. I didn’t expect that dolphins could be only 9ft though, I thought they were a lot larger.
I can’t believe that pink dolphins actually exist! This was a very big surprise to me and have a fun time reading this article. I usually think of places like the Caribbean or something that dolphins live in but it turns out that they also live in China! The only problem is that many of them are dying and are washed up on Hong Kong’s shores usually dead. I hope that we can stop this so we can preserve the pink dolphins so they can continue to live in the future.
It is great that people are starting to pay attention to the endangerment of pink dolphins. There are only so few of them left. Overfishing, water pollution, coastal development, and heavy marine traffic are all pretty recent developments made in China. It is shocking to hear that pink dolphins have already made it onto the IUCN’s Red List. Pink Dolphins may already cease to exist by the time a marine park will be opened to protect them, which is unfortunate.
This article caught my eye because I have never heard of pink dolphins! I never knew these Chinese white dolphins were Hong Kong’s mascot. It is especially interesting that their color changes as they age! It was upsetting to learn that this fascinating species is at risk. Hopefully, HKDCS and Hong Kong Dolphinwatch can help save these creatures from extinction.
This was so fascinating. I have never heard of these kinds of dolphins. These dolphins are so unique with there blood vessels at the surface of their skin, instead of pigments in the skin itself. People should make more of a fuss about them being endangered. Hopefully they will be off the endangered list.
These dolphins are pretty cool! I never knew that there were pink dolphins until I read this article. I like how they change color as they age. Too bad they are becoming endangered maybe the government can do something to help protect them.
I was clickbaited into this article from the pink dolphin picture. I couldn’t believe that they were real!!! Even though I’ve lived in China for sometime I’ve only heard of dolphins in the yangtze river but never in the Pearl River or near Hong kong! Its also interesting to know that it beat out the panda and became Hong Kong’s mascot.Its sad to hear that because of the actions of the humans that there population is shrinking and it’s status on the iucn red list has increased from a nearly threatened to vulnerable.
I have loved dolphins for the longest time, but I did not know that pink ones existed! I think it’s really special that they are unique to one area. I think it’s ironic that they’re named Chinese white dolphins when they are pink. It’s so sad that the beautiful pink dolphins are endangered. I hope appropriate legislation is created by legislators to help protect these precious creatures. Great article!
I have seen articles on pink dolphins before but I never knew that they existed around China! It is interesting to know that their blood vessels can be so close to the surface that their own skin pigments don’t show. This article really shows how much our day to day activities are harming the environment in many ways. This issue with animals getting close to extinction has been going on for a long time and it’s not only the government’s fault but also our’s. If we all work together and monitor our actions we might be able to slow down this issue and save the dolphins!
I never thought there could be a Pink Dolphin, that is a really interesting fact. It’s sad to hear about how such a cool creature can be endangered. I can’t believe that they are so small compared to other species of dolphins. I think it would be very sad to hear that these cool creatures might not have a home in a couple of years. I think that the Chinese government should stop using their waters so negatively.
It was super interesting learning about your article. It really brings to light some of the enviormemtal plights China is facing. I think that we should work to try and help save these dolphins. It’s extremely sad to know that 110 dolphins have died in the past four years. We should definitely help spread awareness for the cause, and save the remaining pink dolphins.
Great article, Joanne! I never knew that there were pink dolphins and that they were endangered! I didn’t know that these cute creatures were even called Chinese white dolphins! Thanks for sharing and can’t wait to read more of your articles!
Great job Joanne! This is such an interesting article! These dolphins look so cool! I thought that their pink color comes from their pigments, but it was interesting to learn that it comes from their blood vessels at the surface of their skin. I can’t believe that there have been 110 dolphins that have washed up shore. We need to do more to help these beautiful creatures and stop them from becoming extinct. I think it is so cool that you can adopt and sponser a dolphin. I will definitely look into it! Thanks for sharing!
Sadly, this is the truth of our modern world. With every success there comes a price. Within the past few years so many animals and habitats have been killed and destroyed. But, in the last few years society has flourished making new amazing technology. I am very happy that you chose to write about this and bring light to this upsetting situation.
It was interesting to see dolphins that aren’t grey. I was surprised to learn that when they grow old they turn pink. It is disappointing to see that even an animal as cool as a pink dolphin cannot be protected. Even though they have beaten out the Giant Panda as their mascot, they are still not getting the protection they deserve. More conservation societies should get involved.
Joanne, I have confidence that you will make a great addition to the TDC team, by seamlessly transitioning from facts about the pink dolphin to its current endangered state, it helped to form a complete picture of the state of the species. Not to mention that the article itself was interesting, who knew there was a dolphin that was pink due to blood vessels and not pigmentation like one would think? The fact that there is so much maritime traffic in the Pearl River Delta region every hour is astounding and simply amplifies the plight of the dolphin. Not to mention, the harmful land reclamation projects which stir up toxins and destroy the dolphins’ habitats. If all of those people who voted for the pink dolphin to be the mascot of Hong Kong really cared about it as much as they say they do, they should each donate to the construction of a marine conservation park before it’s too late. Thank you for this thought-provoking piece.
This article is so interesting! Ever since I was little, I’ve thought that dolphins were the coolest animals. These pink dolphins make China seem even cooler. It is so sad that there are only 47 white dolphins living near the city, and 1200 in the Pearl River Delta region. Maybe someday I will adopt one of these creatures.
Wow, I didn’t really know that there are pink dolphins out there. It’s interesting that the pinkness is from the blood vessels at the surface of their skin. It’s so disappointing that the numbers of Chinese dolphins are dwindling. I hope people in China become more aware about this and do something about it. Thanks for sharing!
Wow what an interesting article. I’ve actually never knew that there could be pink dolphins. It’s amazing how a young dolphin could be grey but as they became an adult they turned white of pink. It’s really sad to see any species become endangered, but at least people notice the danger and are doing something to help preserve species like these dolphins.
It was very interesting to learn that they start out gray when they are young and then they start to develop a white or pink color when they get older. It was really cool to learn that the dolphins develop the pink color from their blood vessels. It was sad to learn that the amount of Chinese white dolphins is decreasing in numbers in the wild. I hope that conservation and protection efforts help this species from becoming extinct. I never thought the Chinese white dolphin had the potential to beat the Giant Panda as the mascot of China. When the Dolphin watch opens in 2023 that is surely going to be one of the places I would want to go in Hong Kong.
中华白海豚是国家级保护动物，因为香港，澳门太多填海再加上海水污染导致中华白海豚快要灭绝，通过这篇文章我相信可以呼吁更多人保护大自然，让中华白海豚继续存活下去！
Wow I never knew that dolphins can be pink! It is also very interesting to know that dolphins are grey when they are young and can change colors as they become adults. This article clearly shows the urgency to help stabilize the population of the Chinese white dolphin.. Although people are seeing that over fishing and the building of highways and runways are potentially hurting the dolphin population, more should be done to help preserve their very existence. Just like how Chinese pandas rebounded off of the endangered list, I believe the same can be done to these dolphins.
还是很长知识的，知道原来海豚还有不同品种的。但我们也要好好保护我们的大自然，让它们继续存活在世上不要灭绝。
I only thought that pink dolphins existed in tropical areas like the Amazon, I never expected them to live in China! I was really surprised when you first brought up that pink dolphins live in China. However, it made me sad that although they are very rare, they aren’t protected enough and they’re coming close to extinct. In 10 years, dolphin population decreased to more than 50% percent (2600 to 1200) and it became “vulnerable” from “near threatened.” I’m a huge fan of dolphins, and so it made me extremely sad to hear that they’re becoming extinct. We definitely should try harder to protect them.
I was surprised that to learn that the pink color is from the blood vessels instead of pigments, which I always believed. It’s even more shocking to hear that only 47 are still living near the city. I really hope something will be done regarding their endangerment. Hopefully, it won’t be too late for them when the marine park opens. Thank you for writing this article!
WOw I was so excited to learn that there are pink diamonds, but it’s so sad that they’re endangered! I’m even more sad after reading Herin’s comment too!! These dolphins are so cute though!! I hope that something can be done to save them, and it isn’t too late. Maybe one day the preservation of endangered animals will become more of a priority to the government.
This was a very interesting article, as I thought that dolphins can only be a dull grey color. Never did I imagine that dolphins turn white or pink when they age. This article shows that humans can have a negative impact on the environment, as the number of pink dolphins continues to drop drastically. I am glad to see at least some environment groups are being organized to try and save these dolphins. One day I hope to go to China to see one of these pink dolphins in person. Keep up the good work!
These are some beautiful animals! Their characteristic of being born grey but growing up to be pink reminds me of flamingos, but the reason for this color change is already known in flamingos (shrimp). It’s upsetting to learn that they’re vulnerable animals, especially as it is due to environmental problms caused by humans. The links that you posted were very helpful. Thanks for a great article!
Wow! I’ve always associated China with pandas, but I never knew that pink dolphins were so popular in Hong Kong. I find it intriguing and interesting how the pink dolphins start out as grey and eventually develop into a pink or white color. I always thought that pigment was what gave all animals their color, but the pink dolphin is really cool and unique in how its pinkish color originates from their blood vessels. This article brings attention to all the harm and pollution that industrialization in Hong Kong is bringing to these poor sea creatures. Hopefully, people find a solution or alternative to the construction of the highway that will connect Hong Kong and Macau, as the construction is only bringing the disappearance of these pink dolphins even closer. I feel very upset that the pink dolphins are decreasing in the thousands with only 47 being estimated to be located near Hong Kong.
This was a very well written article! I had no idea that pink dolphins existed on the coast of Hong Kong. People should be more aware about how endangered these beautiful animals are and help protect them. Overfishing, water pollution, heavy marine traffic, and coastal development are always reasons why animals become endangered. It’s very sad hearing that they may become endangered. I hope to see them with my own eyes one day!
I never even knew about pink dolphins until now. It’s horrible that the population of dolphins in China are dwindling. I hope China’s government will do something about their seas’ pollution. They should be more strict about what happens there. I hope to see the population of dolphins rising in China one day!
I have always thought dolphins were such amazing animals! Now I know that they not only live in China’s seas, but also that they can be pink is so interesting. Additionally, this article brings light to all the new infrastructure that has definitely harmed even more aspects of the environment than dolphins. It’s so sad to hear that this species is in danger and I really hope they can be saved before it’s too late. I believe writing articles like these and raising awareness is a big step in the right direction; so thank you so much for sharing this information!
I really like this article. Its amazing that pink dolphins actually exist. I’ve never seen one before. It’s awful to think that humans are killing dolphins. There has to be a way to prevent the death of dolphins. Hopefully people will do more to preserve the dolphins, and help them repopulate.
Cool article! I’ve never seen a pink dolphin before, they look so cool! People should definitely be more aware of how much damage pollution can do to sea life. This article definitely raises awareness on improving the environment and preserving the pink dolphins. I would love to go ot Hong Kong and see the pink dolphins one day!
It was interesting learning about such a rare and beautiful animal. I never knew that these dolphins existed, as they are so different from the conventional grey, bottlenosed dolphin we see in the media. I was shocked to learn that these dolphins were found on the coasts of Hong Kong and Macau- two of the most populated and visited places in East Asia. It’s horrible to see how humans are so greatly altering the environment and negatively impacting the animals that live there. Hopefully, it is not too late to save these amazing creatures!
I love animals, so this was an instant eye catcher. I never knew that such a rare animal existed in China. It was sad to hear that these animals are endangered. In order for people to experience the uniqueness this animals creates, opening an aquarium is not a bad idea. Great article!!
China would be one of the last places I’d guess for where you could find dolphins; it’s even more surprising to see the pink colored dolphins! I can’t help but wonder if the reasoning for their color is like those of other pink-colored animals such as flamingos. The issue of human pollution and environmental damage is are sadly extremely common nowadays; hopefully the right courses of action will take place to ensure the future of not only China’s dolphins but the integrity of our global wildlife as a whole.
Great article! I wasn’t aware that there could be pink dolphins! This article was very informing and it makes the reader concerned about whether or not the white dolphins will survive in such conditions. Hopefully raising awareness will make people more mindful of the decreasing population of these majestic creatures. Did you know that these pink dolphins have the largest bodies and brains of any freshwater dolphins. I never knew their pinkish color is believed to have come from blood vessels at the surface of their skin. I also learned from this article that there are so many factors of the decrease of population of these dolphins such as overfishing, water pollution, heavy marine traffic, and coastal development.
Wow I have always thought that pink dolphins were a myth or that they ha went extinct. To my surprise they are not. Not only that but i never knew they lived in china. Even though I am chinese I never knew the popularity of these pink dolphins in china, so popular that it even surpasses the popularity of giant pandas. Hopefully these dolphins can be well protected and they can live for many generations to come.
This article was very interesting! I had no idea dolphins could be pink. It’s fascinating how the pink color of these dolphins comes from blood vessels. It’s also sad to learn that these dolphins are at risk due to human activity. Hopefully efforts to save these dolphins are successful!
经常听到大家说，在中国有一种粉色的海豚。小的时候也经常和家人一起去水族馆，但是从未见过粉色的。长大后才知道原来这些海豚已经陷入了这样的危机。人类也是地球上的动物，但是我们造成的环境污染已经不止造成了这一种动物的危机。就算我们已经认识到了过错，更重要的还是实际行动。希望人类有一天能更好的管理好自己对其他生物们的影响。
Great article Joanne! I never knew that there were pink dolphins. It’s interesting that they change color as they grow older. It’s sad that many of the dolphins that wash up on beaches are dead. I hope that the population of this species of dolphin increases!
我希望他们可以通过减少污染来拯救海豚，我希望明年能够看到它们。我发现虽然1997年人们投票选择白海豚作为吉祥物而不是熊猫，我觉得很神奇。我没想到海豚只有9英尺，我认为它们要大得多。
Great Article! It’s fascinating that the dolphins change colors as they age. I never knew that their pink color is believed to have come from blood vessels. It’s such a shame that the population is decreasing every year. I hope the government will place stricter rules to protect the dolphins.
It’s so cool how they become pink while growing. Their endangerment is nothing unexpected, considering how polluted China is. China should make a better attempt to save these endangered animals. This article was very informative though. Great article.