Animal Extinction Timeline

Animal
Extinction
Timeline
Information
Extinction- The eradication or
abolishment of a particular
species.
2 causes of extinction
Natural Cause
Anthropogenic Cause (could be
manipulated; man-made)
1968
Guam Flying Fox- This species was endemic to Guam. Only three
specimens were collected, the last being shot by hunters in 1968. Despite
intensive field work on the islands fruit bats, there have been no confirmed
records of the Guam Fruit Bat since that time. There was a possible
sighting of the species in the late 1970s
1968
Threat: It was hunted locally as a food source, and this is
thought to have been the main factor leading to the demise
of the species. The introduction of the predatory Brown
Tree Snake (Boiga irregularis) to Guam possibly
contributed to the extinction of this species.
Conservations Acts: This species is listed on Appendix II
of CITES.
Scientific Name: Pteropus tokudae
1952
Caribbean Monk Seal- Once

inhabited the Caribbean Sea and
several searches were conducted, this
species was not found.
1952
Ecology and Habitat: The species occupied a marine environment, with rocky or sandy coastline and
islands being used for resting and breeding areas. Their diet is unknown, but may have included eels,
lobsters, octopus, and reef fish. Like other true seals, the Caribbean Monk Seal was sluggish on land,
and its lack of fear of humans and an unaggressive and curious nature contributed to its demise. They
were medium-sized seals, with adult standard lengths of 200-240 cm. Very little is known about the
natural history of the Caribbean Monk Seal, but related species mature at 4-8 years old, give birth to
a single pup (usually annually), and can live to be more than 20 years old.
Scientific Name: Neomonachus tropicalis
Threat(s):The only known predators of Caribbean Monk Seals were sharks and humans. Intensive
exploitation began with the voyages of Columbus, and continued for centuries afterwards, as the
seals were killed for their skins and oil. In more recent years, the seal was also subject to persecution
from the fishing industry. This human pressure brought the population to very low numbers, ultimately
resulting in extinction of the species
1951
Yemen Gazelle- The taxon is known only from five

specimens collected in 1951 in the mountains near
Taizz, where it was reportedly common at the time.
There have been no subsequent specimens,
sightings or reports, and the species is now
considered Extinct.
1951
Habitat and Ecology: Seen in
small groups of 1-3 on
Euphorbia-covered hillsides at
altitudes of 1,230 - 2,150 m; not
seen in cultivated areas or near
roads
Threat: This species was hunted
for food by army officers in 1951
Scientific name: Gazella bilkis
1937
Toolache Wallaby- The Toolache Wallaby occurred in

near-coastal parts of extreme south-western Victoria to
the upper south-east of South Australia. It is extinct.
1937
Ecology: The Toolache Wallaby occupied open
country. Its preferred habitat was grassland at
the edge of woodlands of Brown
Stringybarkwith heathy understorey. Such
areas were flat or gently undulating, becoming
swampy in winter with depressions filled by a
matted growth of Black Rush or among
tussocks of tall coarse Cutting Grassand
Kangaroo Grasssp. small areas of slightly
higher ground carried sparse stands of
Drooping She-oak which were used for shelter.
Toolache Wallabies had an unusual gait, but
were capable of high speed for long periods
Threat: Habitat loss and fragmentation was
catastrophic as the whole original range is now
agricultural land. The introduced red fox and
hunting contributed to the extinction.
Scientific Name: Macropus greyi
1936
Tasmanian Tiger- Its last confirmed

record was from 1933, captured and was
taken to Australia's Hobart Zoo, and died
in 1936. After that, several searches of
this animal have been failed.
1936
Ecology: Thylacines occurred in most habitats in Tasmania,
but apparently not the dense temperate rainforests of the
south-west. The Thylacine apparently located its prey by
scent and hunted mainly at night, singly or in pairs. Its main
food items were reported to be kangaroos and wallabies.
Lairs were often located among rocks but litters were
discovered amongst dense vegetation.
Threat: There was extensive persecution of these because of
perceived threat to sheep and fear of a large predator; in
latter years collecting by museums and zoos was a major
reason for hunting; single-species population viability
analysis models are unable to account for their demise
unless a high human harvest, small starting population size
or low maximum population growth rate was assumed, even
if disease effects were included from 1906 to 1909.
Scientific Name: Thylacinus cynocephalus
1876
Falkland Island Wolf- When Charles Darwin first encountered the

Falkland Island wolf in 1833, he noted that its population was already
in decline, and predicted that, with the arrival of permanent settlers,
its extinction would be assured. Sadly, his prediction proved to be
accurate, as within the space of just 50 years this remarkable
species had entirely disappeared
1876
Ecology: The Falkland Island wolf ranged throughout the Falkland Islands, where the climate is
temperate, and the habitat generally comprises rocky scrub, grassland, bogs and marshland
Threat: Darwin noted that as a result of the Falkland Island wolfs tameness, it proved to be an easy
target for hunters, and was often killed by offering meat with one hand, while stabbing the animal with
a knife held in the other. As increasing numbers of visits were made to the island during the 1800s,
Falkland Island wolf numbers began to dwindle. In 1839, the arrival of fur traders from the United
States led to huge population declines as a result of hunting. However, it was the arrival of Scottish
settlers in the 1860s that sealed this species fate. In order to prevent the Falkland Island wolves from
preying upon their livestock, the settlers began a poisoning campaign, systematically eradicating the
entire population, until the death of the last individual in 1876
Scientific Name: Dusicyon australis
1862
Dark Flying Fox- The last authentic record of this

species on Mauritius was in 1859, but it is believed
to have died out between 1864 and 1873. On
Runion, no new records appeared after 1862 and it
seems probable that it became extinct in the 1860s..
1862
Ecology: It roosted in trees and was sometimes found in rocks. Its very long and
dense fur suggest that it may have had a preference for cool roosting places, such as
the higher altitudes in Runion, and its reported ability to exploit suitably rocky
substrates indicate that it was not dependent on forest or even trees for roosting place
Threat: Both deforestation and local hunting are thought to have contributed to the
extinction of this species. It was thought to have lived in hollow trees.
Scientific Name: Pteropus subniger

Animal Extinction Timeline

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Animal

Caribbean Monk Seal- Once

Yemen Gazelle- The taxon is known only from five

Toolache Wallaby- The Toolache Wallaby occurred in

Tasmanian Tiger- Its last confirmed

Falkland Island Wolf- When Charles Darwin first encountered the

Dark Flying Fox- The last authentic record of this

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