The dodo, a unique flightless bird, once thrived on the isolated island of Mauritius. Scientifically known as Raphus cucullatus, it was characterized by its substantial size, up to one meter tall and weighing 20 kilograms, with a distinctive hooked beak. Evolving in an environment devoid of natural predators, the dodo exhibited a trusting nature, a trait that left it vulnerable upon human arrival. Its story exemplifies how quickly a species can disappear when faced with unprecedented threats.
The Last Confirmed Sighting
The last widely accepted sighting of a dodo occurred in 1662, documented by Dutch sailor Volkert Evertsz. Evertsz, whose ship Arnhem was shipwrecked off Mauritius, described finding dodos on a small islet, often identified as Ile d’Ambre. This record highlights its increasing rarity by the mid-17th century.
Pinpointing an exact “last” moment for any species is challenging, as sightings often become sporadic before complete disappearance. While Evertsz’s report is considered the most reliable, some statistical analyses suggest the dodo’s extinction might have occurred closer to 1690 or even 1693. These later estimates incorporate historical accounts, highlighting the difficulty in definitively marking a species’ final moment.
The Path to Extinction
The dodo’s extinction was primarily driven by human activities after its discovery by Dutch sailors in 1598. Early European visitors hunted the dodo for food, though its meat was often described as unappetizing. The bird’s flightlessness and lack of fear made it an easy target, contributing to its initial population decline.
More devastating was the introduction of invasive species by settlers, including rats, pigs, dogs, and monkeys. These animals preyed on vulnerable dodo eggs and chicks, as dodos nested on the ground and laid only a single egg. Habitat destruction, as forests were cleared for agriculture, further exacerbated the dodo’s struggle. This combination of factors rapidly pushed the dodo toward its demise within a century of human contact.
A Symbol of Extinction
The dodo’s story has become a symbol of extinction and human impact on biodiversity. Its image is widely recognized in popular culture, notably through its appearance in Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. The Dodo character is believed to be a caricature of Carroll himself, highlighting the bird’s enduring cultural footprint.
Beyond literature, the dodo serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating the fragility of island ecosystems and the irreversible consequences of species loss. Its fate informs modern conservation efforts, emphasizing the need to protect vulnerable species and their habitats from introduced threats. Even today, “de-extinction” projects explore bringing back dodo-like birds, solidifying its iconic status in the dialogue about humanity’s role in the natural world.