DODO – EXTINCT
40x40 cm
Acrylic ink on canvas
2023 - Portugal
Series: Bird Cataloging
Price Upon Request
THE DODO, THE MOST FAMOUS ANIMAL EXTINCT IN HISTORIC TIMES. A BIRD FROM THE 15TH CENTURY, PART OF THE PIGEON FAMILY FROM THE ISLAND OF MAURITIUS IN THE INDIAN OCEAN. IT WAS INCAPABLE OF FLIGHT AND HAD NO FEAR OF HUMANS, AS IT EVOLVED IN ISOLATION WITHOUT NATURAL PREDATORS ON THE ISLAND IT INHABITED. IT WAS RAPIDLY DECIMATED IN 100 YEARS BECAUSE IT SERVED AS FOOD FOR SAILORS, DEFORESTATION OCCURRED, AND EXOTIC ANIMALS WERE INTRODUCED TO THE ISLAND. IT IS A TRUE ICON OF EXTINCTION. THERE IS A SKELETON OF THIS SPECIES IN THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD. THERE ARE BIOTECHNOLOGY STUDIES FOR "DE-EXTINCTION," AS WAS DONE IN 2003 WITH A MOUNTAIN GOAT THAT LATER DIED. IS IT REALLY POSSIBLE TO UNDO WHAT HUMANITY HAS UNDONE?