11 species extinct within 100 years of Dutch arrival

11 species extinct within 100 years of Dutch arrival. 11 species went extinct within 100 years of Dutch settling in 1598 Dodo bird went extinct within 60 years of hunting Last official dodo sighting was in 1662

Tragic timeline: within just 100 years of Dutch settling in 1598, 11 species went extinct on Mauritius. The iconic dodo lasted only 60 years of human hunting before vanishing. Other losses included giant tortoises, the red rail, and the Mauritius giant skink. 😢🦎

Key Facts

• 11 species went extinct within 100 years of Dutch settling in 1598
• Dodo bird went extinct within 60 years of hunting
• Last official dodo sighting was in 1662
• Dutch abandoned the island in 1710
• French arrived in 1715 to establish sugar plantations
• Extinct species: dodo bird, saddleback giant tortoise, domed giant tortoise, Mauritius giant skink, red rail, broad-billed parrot, night heron, Mauritius duck, blue pigeon, Mauritius shell duck, Mauritius owl

Source: The First Explorers of Dodo Island: Discovery & Extinction of the Dodo Bird by Luke Caverns