Humans have been responsible for many extinctions of plants and animals throughout history. Some of these extinctions were caused by hunting, habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, or introducing invasive species. Here are some examples of animals that went extinct by human.
1. Passenger Pigeon
Passenger pigeons were once the most abundant birds in North America, with an estimated population of 3 to 5 billion. They migrated in huge flocks that darkened the sky and nested in dense colonies that covered hundreds of acres. However, humans hunted them relentlessly for food, sport, and feathers, and also destroyed their forest habitats. By the late 1800s, passenger pigeons were reduced to a few scattered individuals. The last known passenger pigeon, a female named Martha, died in captivity at the Cincinnati Zoo in 19141.
2. Dodo
Dodos were large, flightless birds that lived on the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. They had no natural predators and were not afraid of humans, who arrived on the island in the late 1500s. Humans and their introduced animals, such as pigs, dogs, cats, rats, and monkeys, hunted dodos for food and eggs, and destroyed their habitats. Dodos also faced competition for food and nesting sites from these invasive species. The last confirmed sighting of a dodo was in 16621.
3. Steller’s Sea Cow
Steller’s sea cow was a massive marine mammal that measured up to 10 meters long and weighed up to 10 tons. It was a relative of manatees and dugongs and fed on seaweed in shallow waters. It was endemic to the Bering Sea, where it was discovered by European explorers in 1741. They named it after Georg Wilhelm Steller, a naturalist who was part of the expedition. Steller’s sea cow was hunted by humans for its meat, fat, oil, and skin, which were valuable commodities in the harsh Arctic environment. It was also easy prey because it was slow-moving and had no fear of humans. Within 27 years of its discovery, Steller’s sea cow was extinct2.
4. Quagga
Quaggas were a subspecies of plains zebras that had distinctive stripes on their heads and necks, but none on their hindquarters. They lived in South Africa and were hunted by humans for their meat and hides. They also competed with domestic livestock for grazing land and water sources. The last wild quagga was killed in 1878, and the last captive one died at the Amsterdam Zoo in 18833. However, there is an ongoing project to revive the quagga by selectively breeding zebras that have reduced striping.
5. Tasmanian Tiger
Tasmanian tigers were marsupials that looked like dogs with stripes on their backs and tails. They were native to Australia and New Guinea, where they were apex predators that hunted kangaroos and other prey. They were also called thylacines or Tasmanian wolves. Humans hunted them for their fur and because they were seen as a threat to livestock. They also suffered from habitat loss and disease. The last wild Tasmanian tiger was shot in 1930, and the last captive one died at the Hobart Zoo in 19364. There have been occasional sightings of Tasmanian tigers since then, but none have been confirmed.
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