Background : The Tragedy of the Dodo (1598-1681)
- ️David Reilly
Background :-
In the year 1598 AD, Portuguese sailors landing on the shores of the island of
Mauritius discovered a previously unknown species of bird, the Dodo. Having been
isolated by its island location from contact with humanity, the dodo greeted the
new visitors with a child-like innocence. The sailors mistook the gentle spirit
of the dodo, and its lack of fear of the new predators, as stupidity. They
dubbed the bird "dodo" (meaning something similar to a simpleton in
the Portuguese tongue). Many dodo were killed by the human visitors, and those
that survived man had to face the introduced animals. Dogs and pigs soon became
feral when introduced to the Mauritian eco-system. By the year 1681, the last
dodo had died, and the world was left worse with its passing.
Background | Anatomy | Environmental Impact | Gallery | Other links | Dodo Books