What Was the Role of the Dodo Bird in 17th Century Maritime History?

The dodo bird, a flightless species native to the island of Mauritius, became an unexpected symbol of human impact on the environment during the 17th century. After its discovery by Dutch sailors in 1598, the dodo quickly became a target for sailors and settlers who found its meat to be a convenient food source. This led to the rapid decline of the species, which was already vulnerable due to its limited habitat and lack of natural predators. The extinction of the dodo by the late 1600s not only marked a significant loss of biodiversity but also highlighted the consequences of unregulated maritime exploration and colonization. The dodo's demise served as an early warning of the ecological impacts that could arise from human activity, shaping attitudes towards conservation long before it became a modern priority.