1. Dodo (Raphus cucullatus)
The dodo stands as the ultimate icon of extinction. Once found only on the island of Mauritius, this flightless bird vanished by the late 1600s, just decades after being discovered by humans. Lacking natural predators, the dodo was unafraid and easy prey for sailors and invasive animals brought by ships. Its story underscores the catastrophic effects of human colonization and ecological disruption.
