http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/08/08/3062/

"THE Yangtze River dolphin, until recently one of the most endangered species on the planet, has been declared officially extinct after an intensive survey of its natural habitat.

The freshwater marine mammal, which could weigh up to a quarter of a tonne, is the first large vertebrate forced to extinction by human activity in 50 years, and only the fourth time an entire evolutionary line of mammals has vanished from the face of the earth since 1500. ..."

Shame! And this is just the begining, I bet. I wonder if there is someone out ther dedicated to preserving genetic information on these endangered species for a hopeful posterity re-introduction. I hope so.

I really doubt it. For an interesting story on a related theme, read Rudy Rucker's Frek and the Elixer.