Human Hunting Drove The Great Auk Extinct

Analysis of ancient DNA from the North Atlantic penguin driven extinct during the 19th century reveals that even abundant and widespread species can be vulnerable to intense localized exploitation

by GrrlScientist for Forbes | @GrrlScientist

NOTE: This piece was a Forbes Editor’s pick.

Great auks (Pinguinus impennis) in breeding plumage. Plate 341, Birds Of America by John James Audubon.