The Great Auk
$1,500.00
The demise of the Great Auk is a tragic example of human-driven extinction. For centuries, the bird was hunted by indigenous peoples and early European settlers for its meat, feathers, and oil. However, it wasn’t until the 16th and 17th centuries, when European exploitation intensified, that the population started to dwindle rapidly.
By the 18th century, the Great Auk had become a target for collectors. The bird’s eggs, skins, and bones were highly sought after by museums and private collectors, leading to further decimation of the population. The birds were easy prey due to their inability to fly and their nesting habits on land.
The final blow came in the early 19th century when the remaining colonies were hunted to extinction. The last known breeding pair was killed in June 1844 on Eldey Island, near Iceland. The two birds were strangled by fishermen, and their single egg was smashed in the process.
The extinction of the Great Auk is often cited as one of the first well-documented cases of human-induced extinction, serving as a stark reminder of the impact humans can have on the environment. Today, the Great Auk is remembered as a symbol of conservation, and its story has influenced environmental policies and the founding of conservation organizations. The bird’s legacy lives on in the scientific and cultural awareness it helped raise about the importance of protecting endangered species.
Yes this pin started as a bowling pin and was cut apart, reassemble, pyro work, carving and dry brush painted.
