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Why Did New Zealand's Moas Go Extinct?

sciencehabit writes "For millions of years, nine species of large, flightless birds known as moas (Dinornithiformes) thrived in New Zealand. Then, about 600 years ago, they abruptly went extinct. Their die-off coincided with the arrival of the first humans on the islands in the late 13th century, and scientists have long wondered what role hunting by Homo sapiens played in the moas' decline. Did we alone drive the giant birds over the brink, or were they already on their way out thanks to disease and volcanic eruptions? Now, a new genetic study of moa fossils points to humankind as the sole perpetrator of the birds' extinction. The study adds to an ongoing debate about whether past peoples lived and hunted animals in a sustainable manner or were largely to blame for the extermination of numerous species."

8 of 180 comments (clear)

  1. Probably because they were big and meaty by MarkTina · · Score: 4, Funny

    and tasty!

    I'm glad they are gone, as the Haast's Eagle would still be here if they were around ... and I'm not keen on walking about while a bird of prey with a 3 meter wingspan looked down on me as a snack!

    1. Re:Probably because they were big and meaty by Opportunist · · Score: 3, Funny

      But Moa so.

      --
      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  2. Just a thought by erroneus · · Score: 4, Funny

    I know when other people are around, I cannot use the bathroom. Just too caught up in knowing there are other people around. What if the birds had the same problem and since the people never went away, they just died.

  3. Re:Ran out of bird seed? by noh8rz10 · · Score: 3, Funny

    I hate people. Why do we have to ruin everything? This is why we can't have nice things.

  4. Re:Uh what? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    "because your better than us"

    Well, he DOES write better than you do ...

  5. Re:Ran out of bird seed? by noh8rz10 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Maybe if there were more giant eagles there would be fewer fat slow kids.

  6. Re:Uh what? by quenda · · Score: 5, Funny

    But in many cases land was brought.

    What!? The settlers brought land with them from Britain? How small was NZ originally then?

  7. Re:Ran out of bird seed? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    So, fewer democrats then.