Where Did the Dodo Bird Go?

Dodo birds were huge birds that existed only on the island of

Mauritius.

Mauritius is located east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean.

Prior to 1598 there was no human habitation on the island of Mauritius. At that time Mauritius was an island of dense forests, mountains, streams and rivers. Several species of birds lived there including pigeons, parakeets, sparrows, owls and dodo birds.

The first people to settle in Mauritius were the Dutch. They colonized the island in 1598. The Dutch brought sugarcane, cats, dogs, swine, deer, rats, and monkeys to Mauritius. They also cut down most of the ebony trees.

The Dutch colonists were amused at the dodo's clumsy behavior. A colonist described a startled dodo’s attempt to run away. It was so plump that its belly dragged on the ground, making its escape awkward and slow.

The dodo was described as a

lazy, rather dumb animal. It had virtually no

defenses against

predators, except for its large beak

which could deliver a

"fearsome bite" if threatened.

One Dutchman described the flightless Dodo as a large bird with a big hooked bill, lean

and unpalatable in summer, fat and tasty in winter.

There are two speculations on where the name for the dodo came from. The more accepted source is the Dutch word "dodoor" which means "sluggard." This word describes both the dodo's looks and appearance. The other speculation is that the name comes from the Portuguese word "doudo" which means foolish or simple.

By the year 1681, the last Dodo had died.

After surviving many cyclones and a long drought, the Dutch decided to leave the island of Mauritius in the year 1710.

But the dodo was gone forever.

Where did the dodo go?

1. Think about what might have happened to cause the dodo’s extinction. Write three theories to explain the dodo’s extinction on your graphic organizer.

2. Of your three theories, write the one you believe to be the

most plausible (believable) on your graphic organizer.

Why do you believe that the theory you chose was the most

plausible?

Write your response on your graphic organizer.

3. Share your most plausible theory with your group. Listen to your group members’ most

plausible theories.

4. Discuss each group member’s theory. Then choose (as a group) the one theory your group believes is the most plausible. Write it on your

graphic organizer.