The Dodo Bird
Mason in Mr O'Connell's class reported that the Dodo bird, pictured above, went extinct in the 1600s. The Dodo was a bird that did not fly and lived on the island of Mauritius only. This island is located off the southeast corner of Africa.
The Dodo grazed on fruits and nuts and had no natural predators on the island. Scientists believe that the Dodo was an intelligent bird.
In 1507 Portugese sailors landed on the island, and the dogs that they brought with them began to prey on the dodo birds. Cats, pigs, and monkeys arrived on later ships and also began to find dodo birds to be good food. Humans began to cut down the trees that the dodo bird needed for fruit and grain.
By the late 1600's, the last surviving dodo bird was gone. Scientists warned that more animals could disappear if humans did not take care, and so thanks to the dodo bird, we now try to protect animals in danger of going extinct.
Here's to protecting our wonderful world!
See you on Monday :)
