On October 21, 2018, my group went to Tai O fishing village on Lantau Island, one of the thousands of islands that comprise Hong Kong. We took a boat ride through the village and then sped for the open water. I had no idea we were looking for a pink dolphin. We drove near the new 55 kilometer bridge from Hong Kong to Macau which opened in late October. We were marveling at the bridge when our driver started pointed and gesturing. We looked where he pointed. There was the dolphin, jumping through waves. The hue is unmistakable, a light shade of pink.
The pink dolphins are endangered. Many locals who have been riding boats around the islands have never seen one. According to the Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society, the pink dolphin population of Hong Kong went from 158 in 2003 to 61 in 2014. Our boat captain was respectful of the dolphin and kept his distance, but others speed toward the dolphins, scaring and injuring them. Water and noise pollution has also endangered the dolphins in these waters. Noise pollution has increased significantly since the new airport was constructed on Lantau Island, particularly disturbing for dolphins because they rely on sonar to communicate.