Chinese paddlefish has been declared extinct

The Chinese paddlefish, once the world's largest freshwater fish, is now declared extinct. It was native to the Yangtze River and used its snout to sense prey. Overfishing in the 1970s and habitat loss due to the Gezhouba Dam construction led to its decline. Despite extensive research efforts, no paddlefish have been found since 2003. Researchers concluded that the species likely went extinct between 2005 and 2010.

What was the primary feature of the Chinese paddlefish that gave it its name?

• Its long tail

• Its paddle-like snout

• Its large fins

• Its silver scales

In which year was the Chinese paddlefish last spotted?

• 2000

• 2010

• 2005

• 2003

What was a major factor in the decline of the Chinese paddlefish population in the 1970s?

• Pollution in the Yangtze River

• Introduction of invasive species

• Climate change

• Overfishing

Which construction project contributed significantly to the extinction of the Chinese paddlefish?

• Baihetan Dam

• Three Gorges Dam

• Gezhouba Dam

• Xiluodu Dam

What method did researchers use to confirm the extinction of the Chinese paddlefish?

• Satellite tracking

• DNA analysis

• Mathematical modeling

• Underwater cameras