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Neophocaena phocaenoides (Cuvier, 1829)
| Family Name: | Phocoenidae |
| Taxonomic Group: | Vertebrates (Mammal) |
| Common Name: | Finless Porpoise |
Name
Ecology, Habitat & Location
| Ecological Notes | Coastal seas and estuaries, in shallow water along mangrove-lined shores. Occurs singly or in small groups, feeding on fish, squids and prawns. It tends not to leap out of water like dolphins, and hence, is difficult to observe in the wild. |
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| Habitats | Marine |
| Distribution | In Singapore, a carcass was found in Pasir Ris Park in July 1996. Sightings of individuals have also been recorded off Changi. Distributed in the tropical coastal areas and estuaries of the eastern Indian Ocean and the western Pacific northwards to southern Japan. |
Conservation
| Trends & Threats | Possibly water pollution, and of drowning in discarded fishing nets. |
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| Scientific Interest & Potential Value | Potential tourist attraction in the wild or in oceanariums. |
| Conservation Notes | Stringent policing against water pollution. Protection of mangrove shorelines. |
Status
| Singapore Red Data Book Status | Critically Endangered (CR) [2008] |
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Photos
References
| References | Davison, G.W.H., Ng, P.K.L. & Ho, H.C (Eds.). 2008. The Singapore Red Data Book (2nd Edition). Singapore: Nature Society (Singapore). 285pp Francis, C.M. 2008. A field guide to the mammals of South-east Asia. United Kingdom: New Holland Publishers (UK) Ltd. 392pp |
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