Island Extinctions, Mauritius

"In the past, Bolyeria was found in Mauritius on Gunner's Quoin, Flat Island, Mauritius, Round Island and Ile de la Passe. Later this snake species was restricted only to Round Island... found in the palm groves of mid-altitude top-soil layers on volcanic slopes...The introduction of rabbits and goats to the island in 1840 resulted in damage to the vegetation, consequently causing soil erosion on the volcanic slopes and deterioration of palm forest habitat. This decline in habitat quality is thought to have been the main reason for the extinction of the Round Island Burrowing Boa."

"Why the species became extinct is unclear.  It probably succumbed, at least in part, as a result of the early colonists' attitude to birds. Sonnerat (1782) records a bounty on 'vermin', a heading that apparently covered almost every living creature, and a large, striking pigeon would make a very natural target anyway. Perhaps the growing menace of crab-eating macaques was just as devastating."

“Amongst other birds . . . were those which men in the Indies call doddaerssen; they were larger than geese but not able to fly. Instead of wings they had small flaps; but they could run very fast . . . When we held one by the leg he let out a cry, others came running forward to help the prisoner, and were themselves caught.”

— Volquard Iversen, last eyewitness account of the Dodo

"The dodo, the very symbol of extinction, was eliminated on the island of Mauritius by the seventeenth century, not because it could be eaten (it was said to taste terrible), but because it was too clumsy and flightless to escape."

"These we used to call 'Walghvogel,' for the reason that the longer and oftener they were cooked the less soft and more insipid eating they became. Nevertheless their belly and breast were of a pleasant flavor and easily masticated."