Mauritius Extinct Species

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ for MAURITIUS in Southeast Africa and the Indian Ocean lists 46 extinct species — the largest number I have so far encountered in compiling these extinct and endangered species posts. Despite Mauritius' relatively tiny land area, populations of many species living (or that once lived) in this biodiverse island country have been rigorously studied — hence why biologists have concluded that Mauritius has many extinct species that once lived on its land. As listed below, most extinct species are birds.

Last living on Earth in the 1600s, the flightless Dodo bird is arguably one of the most well-known extinct species in the world. These birds could not adequately adapt to settlers and their land misuse, including the introduction of "predatory" pigs. Other extinct species include the following: Dark Flying Fox, Mauritian Duck, Mauritian Shelduck, Mauritius Blue Pigeon, Mauritius Grey Parrot, Mauritius Night Heron, Mauritius Owl, Mauritius Parrot, Mauritius Turtle Dove, Mauritius Woodpigeon, Red Rail, Rodrigues Blue Pigeon, Rodrigues Parakeet, Rodrigues Solitaire (related to Dodo birds), and Round Island Burrowing Boa snake.