Final answer:
The dodo bird, indigenous to Mauritius, was hunted by sailors and fell victim to introduced species like pigs, rats, and dogs that predated on its young and eggs, leading to its extinction around 1662.
Step-by-step explanation:
Reasons Behind the Extinction of the Dodo Bird
The dodo bird became extinct due to a combination of factors. Native to the forests of Mauritius, an island in the Indian Ocean, the dodo was discovered by sailors around the late 16th century. This flightless bird was hunted for its meat and became easy prey because it did not fear humans, having evolved without any natural predators that were human-like. Furthermore, the introduction of invasive species such as pigs, rats, and dogs by European ships led to the destruction of dodo nests, with these animals preying on the dodo's young and eggs. The extinction of the dodo around 1662 serves as a crucial reminder of the impacts that human actions and introduced species can have on native wildlife.