23 Extinct Animals We’ve Lost in the Past 150 Years

Passenger Pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius) Once one of the most abundant bird species in North America, the passenger pigeon became extinct in 1914 due to overhunting and habitat loss. Its extinction marks one of the most tragic cases of human impact on wildlife.

Tasmanian Tiger (Thylacinus cynocephalus) The last known Tasmanian tiger died in captivity in 1936. This carnivorous marsupial, native to Australia, was hunted to extinction by humans and suffered from introduced diseases.

Dodo (Raphus cucullatus) The dodo, a flightless bird native to Mauritius, was hunted to extinction by humans and invasive animals such as rats, pigs, and monkeys. The last known sighting occurred in the late 1600s.

Great Auk (Pinguinus impennis) The great auk was a flightless seabird that once lived along the coasts of North Atlantic waters. It was driven to extinction in the mid-1800s due to hunting for its feathers and meat.

Caribbean Monk Seal (Neomonachus tropicalis) This seal species was hunted extensively for its fur and oil, leading to its extinction in the 1950s. It lived around the Caribbean islands and was a crucial part of marine ecosystems.

Western Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis longipes) The western black rhino was declared extinct in 2011, primarily due to poaching for its horns. It once roamed across western Africa, but relentless poaching decimated the population.

Pinta Island Tortoise (Chelonoidis Abingdon) The Pinta island tortoise, native to the Galápagos Islands, was declared extinct in 2012 when the last known individual, Lonesome George, passed away. Habitat destruction and introduced species contributed to their decline.

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