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Man-Made Fire Blamed for Australian Extinctions

Posted by timothy on from the smokey-the-kangaroo-never-caught-on dept.

JeiFuRi writes "Around 50,000 years ago, many large Australian animals died off with the arrival of man. From a study carried out by the Carnegie Institution, we now know that the continent's earliest settlers caused these extinctions through their use of fire. In addition, it may have altered the ecosystem of ancient Australia and brought about it's collapse. Futher commentary at BBC News, newKerala, and Red Nova." "Know" is a strong word; the study suggests this may be the case, though.

3 of 52 comments (clear)

  1. Yay, I mean, boo! by mister_llah · · Score: 1, Funny

    Thank God animals can't demand reparations! *whew*

    --
    MoM++ - A Classic Expanded - [Master of Magic 1.5]
    http://mompp.sourceforge.net/
  2. Re:Know is the right word! by identity0 · · Score: 2, Funny

    "Oh my primordial nature God! Timmy's set fire to the outback!"

    "Now kids - remember, when cooking animals, make sure they're dead *before* you set them on fire, or otherwise they might run away and set the entire continent on fire"

    "Gee, thanks GI Aboriginal Tribesman!"

    "Now you know - and knowing is half the battle! Now lets set that Dingo on fire."

  3. Only you... by identity0 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Smokey the Marsupial says: "Only you can prevent outback fi-" *wham* *wham* *sizzle*

    Pyro the Aboriginie says: "Mmm, marsupial tasty over fire. More burnt marsupials good. Burn! Burn!"

    *sets outback on fire*