Today we announced that Alaotra Grebe, a waterbird from Madagascar, is officially extinct on the Red List (more).
The Dodo is the undoubted ‘celebrity’ among extinct species with its depiction in books, cartoons and the well-used expression ‘Dead as a Dodo’.
Less well known about the Dodo is that it heads up a group of single island flightless birds that became extinct either at the hands of man, or by the introduction of predators that came along with the arrival of people to their islands. More than 130 species of birds have become extinct since AD 1500, mostly because of human actions…
A closer look at the extinct bird list reveals a suite of familiar bird groups such as petrels, herons, ducks, moorhens, pigeons, doves, parrots, thrushes, warblers and starlings that have been lost. Alaotra Grebe also joins two other species of grebe which have become extinct as recently as the last quarter of the 20th Century – Colombian Grebe and Atitlan Grebe.
Next week marks the anniversary of another – more famous – bird extinction. On 3 June 1844, the last pair of Great Auks was slaughtered, the female still incubating an egg at Eldey Rock of the coast of Iceland. One of the most intriguing of the planet’s vanished birds, whose first name was the original penguin, ironically one of the best loved groups of birds on our planet.
If a penguin species were to become extinct it would very likely enter the celebrity status alongside the dodo. Alaotra Grebe will have been unknown to most people but, like a great painter whose work is recognised only after they have died, it will now become better known because of its extinction.
The extinction of Alaotra Grebe is a reminder of the perilous state that many species find themselves in now. Today’s Red List update includes 190 species which are listed as Critically Endangered. This includes Junín Grebe which has a population of les than 250 individuals and recent surveys indicate a further population decline.
The BirdLife Partnership is committed to stopping any extinction (click here to find out more).
Today marks a black day in this year of International Year of Biodiversity.
When we publicise news of threat or extinction the first question posed by the media will be: “Why should we care?”
Please add your thoughts on why people should care when a species goes extinct using the comments list below.
Image credit: Chris Rose.
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December 17th, 2011 at 5:11 am
We should care because we are destroying our planet and every species plays a role in protecting and preserving the environment it inhabits…without them we lose something that cannot be replaced…..there is a balance in nature and we are losing that balance….one day, and it will come, we will not be able to inhabit the earth because it will not be able to sustain us….then we too will become extinct!
December 2nd, 2011 at 5:00 pm
I do care… it’s just so sad what we have done to this planet and it’s living creatures. I hope we can change so that no other species goes the same way as the alaotra grebe.
June 10th, 2011 at 6:11 am
…and then there was none
January 7th, 2011 at 7:57 am
We are all. The make up of the emtire Universe exists in the water of which we are largeley composite. The Sun which illuminates and enlivens all beings on earth, means we are all of the same light body. The earth wnich gives birth to all its species is mother to all. The separatist anthropocentric perspective is self – destructive! We should care because we are killing ourselves and we need to understand why we are so hopless as this state of mind impacts everything, of which we form a small (important) part.
November 23rd, 2010 at 9:09 pm
Your poem is beautiful and tragic, Nancy. I couldn’t read it for crying. All I can do is my best to be sure my life doesn’t affect any species detrimentally. The state of the world and the people who don’t care about biodiversity breaks my heart. Why is it that being a republican is equated with being anti-environment these days; it never used to be.
October 15th, 2010 at 5:28 pm
The American naturalist Charles William Beebe put it most evocatively:
“The beauty and genius of a work of art may be reconceived, though its first material expression be destroyed; a vanished harmony may yet again inspire the composer; but when the last individual of a race of living beings breathes no more, another heaven and another earth must pass before such a one can be again.”
August 22nd, 2010 at 4:53 pm
In many instances one species or another becomes extinct—is it because of another’s presence… someone moving into the neighborhood, requires someone to move out? Is this a good thing? It is always sad to lose, and sometimes to gain. Is it human to survive, bring in new plants and birds and other things which are familiar to us but which are detrimental to others? Is it done on purpose, with intent to spoil what is there? It is really difficult to know, how to be and not disturb the balance of nature. I am greatful to know the little that I do regarding nature and what is taught in public schools, it is a good thing to teach all the youth about nature and recycling and what they can do to preserve earth.
August 6th, 2010 at 7:53 pm
It’s not uncommon for us humans to lose someone we knew by name or by face, maybe a distant relative or friend’s friend. But we never had the chance to really know this person, what they felt, what they loved and feared. The same could apply to this bird. Sure, we knew where it lived, what it looked like and its name. But we didn’t truly understand the species to the extent we do for common, ‘everyday’ birds. It’s unfortunate that we have no priest to speak about the importance of this bird so we could remember it in a positive way.
July 22nd, 2010 at 9:05 am
As someone who recently spent six months surveying a taxon which may now be extinct (only DNA results will tell if the annamiticus Javan Rhino which was poached in Cat Tien National Park (Vietnam) while we were doing the survey was, as we suspect, the last one of its kind), the concept of extinction is very real. I have always been angered by extinction, but to convey how it feels to actually witness it is very difficult (at least without the use of words which cannot be used on this website). I suspect that the relatively small number of responses to this post reflects the general malaise that extinction conjures up in the general public – as conservationists we need to do something about this! So why do I care? It is hard to say. Most species have rather little perceptible ecosystem function so I don’t like to use that excuse. Ultimately, I just find it upsetting that no-one will ever again be able to look out on Lake Alaotra and see a small flightless grebe, or walk in the pine-oak mesa forests of Mexico and see the biggest woodpecker which ever lived, etc, I could go on and on, but its depressing stuff. Just think how much more fun birding in the UK would be if occasionally we could twitch a giant flightless auk that strayed from the high arctic – an experience which we have been robbed of by past human greed.
June 6th, 2010 at 11:21 am
what have we become? why have we let this happen?
its a shock. and a sad thing when you think about it.
while we thrive, others fall. this has to stop. i care.
its a very sad thing.think of it. its like killing someone
June 4th, 2010 at 8:54 pm
Of course it matters. It is highly likely that practically every new extinction is down to mankind. The planet does not need us and when we’re gone it will probably breathe a huge sigh of relief. until then all of us (but it will actually only be those of us that really care) should do our utmost to see that we do as little damage as humanly (ha!) possible.
June 4th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
Of course, sometimes species go extinct for reasons unconnected with human activities and have done since life first evolved. The trouble is that our voracious demand for ever more natural resources is pushing the rate of extinction far beyond the ‘natural’ rate. People may or may not care about the extinction of the Alaotra Grebe (I do) but we are rushing headlong towards a world with a highly impoverished fauna and flora. Quite apart from all the ethical, aesthetic and philosophcal reasons why this matters we may reach a point where our own ability to survive and thrive is threatened by the damage to the functioning of ecosystems on which we too ultimately depend.
June 4th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
I care because it is lost for ever and it is our fault. Let alone because I love Madagascar and grebes are cool.
June 4th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
It so worrying the a normal living person can not apprieciate what nature has to offer, mainly the good things and then yawn for help when the very nature, we are fighting to deplete, pounds on our lives, in form of earth quakes and other harzards.
I do care because every time a species is extinct, a connection in the food web is broken and that is disaster in the ecosystem. Nature does not work on gueswork, it’s a streamlined system of life in that whtever we do hit at us with time, worst of all its usually the next generation that suffers, so let us keep our environs safe so that our fore kins do not suffer.
The word,”EXTINCT” is a very scarely word in my world of existance, Every environment educator, and tourguide/tour leader’s main aim is to tell the badness of that word in our ecosystems.
June 3rd, 2010 at 6:01 pm
If no man is an island, with every extinction there remains less of us… Or, should I say, I we are the cause – and we are – we are becoming lesser creatures, certainly less humane humans….
June 2nd, 2010 at 5:44 pm
I care but the difficult thing for me is that I didn’t really do that much about it. I donate a little money to conservation and work in environmental education but that is about as far as it goes. I see some of the other comments bear the same sentiment. It is really difficult to get past the negativity and disempowerment but that is exactly what we all HAVE TO do to make a difference.
As for the question at the start- the Aloatra Grebe extinct- why should I care?- why SHOULDN’T I care- it was here when I was born (I think) but it won’t be there when I die. The Birdlife website is really good because it includes small things that each of us can do. I only wish there were more simple suggestions of things to do beyond recycling and watching out for food miles.
June 1st, 2010 at 1:28 pm
Another strand cut from the web of life, another weakening of the environment that supports us and another unique piece of evolution gone forever and with it a diminution of the inheritance that I and the rest of my generation pass onto our children.
But if that is not enough of a reason to care, then how about the last service the Alaotra Grebe performed for us as it faded from the planet, acting as one of all to many environmental warning flags waving around us. Flags which warn us not only of the degradation of the lake ecosystem in Madagascar upon which the Grebe depended and which the local population still do, but also as a warning of the slow falling apart of the broader Madagascan and global environment upon which we all depend.
But of course if some one asks the question “why should we care when a species goes extinct at the hand of man?” You have to paraphrase a famous quote about jazz reply “If you don’t understand now … well maybe you never will”.
Grim.
June 1st, 2010 at 12:33 am
We should all care if only because birds are an indicator of the health of our planet. We need to educate and enlighten those who have not yet twigged that the earth is one big ecosystem and we are not separate from this system but an integral part of the natural world.
There are many people who are so attuned to the natural world that the demise of a single bird, the loss of a single habitat is felt as a grief. But we need to accept that not all people are made this way. In order to persuade those who have different values and concerns to change their ways and cherish the natural world we need to make links that show our health and wellbeing is fundamentally dependent on a healthy natural world.
Everyone of us can help by spreading information and examples of how the reduction or loss of a species has or will impact human communities. We need to help everyone understand the practical consequences of disturbing eco-systems – consequences that will affect us all in terms of food supplies or increased disease.
In other words caring is not enough. We need to educate ourselves about ecosystem disruption and its consequences in order to educate others. We need to be smart and strategic, wise and cunning. The loss of the Alaotra Grebe needs to power us, not into despair, but into action.
May 31st, 2010 at 9:00 pm
It’s so sad and being far away you feel helpless, unable to do anything that matters. But we can, by what we do, how we spend, even how we vote maybe. Every bird counts. There is so much we can do without in this life, but not life itself.
May 31st, 2010 at 9:30 am
The fault is not that of the local Madagascan fisherman nor that of BirdLife International. It is all of ours, for living unnaturally, procreating excessively and accepting the greed and corruption of individuals, businesses and governments. We all need to change the way we live, educate our one or two children, vote in or out our politicians with care, fight corruption and support green technology and sustainable use of resources wherever we can.
Let’s not shake our heads with dismay and resign ourselves to a feeling of powerlessness – let us all act positively and turn the groundswell of people who care into a tsunami of human change.
May 30th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
I care.
I’m a malagasy people. The problem is the poorness of local population. Madagascar have an amazing biodiversity, both of fauna and flora, but protecting and conserving is so difficult if we don’t hold on together. I mean, first to search solution of poverty, also, to educate and learn people mainly them who leave around protected area and show them the importance of the biodiversity, show them how big are they help to all humanity of this world.
Tahiry
May 29th, 2010 at 6:06 pm
I care, and care a great deal.
Individuals who respect, understand, appreciate, and truly Love birds and all of nature are in a very serious (life or death) 2-way race. In this race are enlightened ECOLOGICAL EDUCATION, racing against human-caused HABITAT DESTRUCTION. Habitat destruction comes from 1) human over-population; and, 2) ever expanding per capita consumption of natural resources of all types across the entire planet. Each species of plant or animal is precious, and their life-sustaining habitats are even more precious. Each human being needs to ask themselves: am I delivering a sufficient quality and quantity of ECOLOGICAL EDUCTION at the level of family, friends, community, county, state or national level??? I believe effective ECOLOGICAL EDUCATION is the ONLY THING that will slow population growth, slow mindless consumerism, counteract greed and ignorant landuse practices, and lead, finally, to an ecologically sane relationship between human beings and our precious planet Earth.
May 29th, 2010 at 8:42 am
What ever faith or not that you believe they all have one thing in common and that is Animals, fish, and birds were here first before humans. So it is obvious we need them for the human race to survive. Who know what species extinction will be the demise of our own. How dare us humans to let this happen and how ignorant and stupid of those who don’t think it matters.
Save an endangered species, wear a condom please!
May 29th, 2010 at 2:24 am
Not good.A lot of us have no respect for other forms of life.Only for money.Respect for nature starts at home.Parents should teach youngsters.
May 29th, 2010 at 2:10 am
One to much gone.At last we also go, in the same way.To mnay of us.To littel interest in nature.Only in money
May 28th, 2010 at 4:50 pm
I care and I am truly sad for this loss but I believe that their is hope for this species and more if all of us care and help.
May 27th, 2010 at 9:08 pm
I care and I am sad. And yes, I did not anything to save this bird. But if you ask what you can do? My answer is to make the right choices of consumption every day, to care about how the things are produces, by whom, to support green products, to save energy, to be careful with the environment around you, to not just talk and know what is correct and right, but to do do it. I live in Brazil now, and it is the most biodiverse country I ever visit…It is amazing to go jogging in the morning and see little monkeys, and tucanos, to wake up with tousands of voices of various animals, to smell flowers at night, to have all this around so pure… I believe the solution is to assume personal responsibility of each of us and live our lives not forgetting about the future generations!
May 27th, 2010 at 7:00 pm
Another tragedy. But who really cares? Do I feel sad about the last wolf, bear or beaver killed in GB, yes most dont. This grebe will dissapear from the collective memories of millions (and rising) as we career obliviously towards the next great species extinction, sorry thats throught the current species extinction. Ironic that volcanoes temporaily stop us from flying for a bit when vulcanism (on a much greater scale) lead to a previous mass extinction. So onto the next grebe.
May 27th, 2010 at 6:38 pm
Well i always quote an example of importance of species…
30 or so years back in a city of China due to the excess of honeybees a master operation was done that killed most of those but in the next few years every lifecycle was disturbed, pollination stopped infact there was a condition of drought and problem persisted till the reintroduction of honeybees….Aint it enough to tell how deeply we are connected to every single specie?
May 27th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
The human overpopulation – and still rising see http://math.berkeley.edu/~galen/popclk.html – of this planet is at the root of so many of the problems of the environment and biodiversity that this planet, and indeed humanity itself, faces. Will we do anything about it though ? I’m not holding my breath.
May 27th, 2010 at 6:00 pm
I have red this email about the bird species has gone extinct i have feel very sadness when i ask about these people who killed or murder the birds they should very shamefull for humanity because birds are gifted from God specilay colour full birds are most beautiful we should care to the birds and should be prepare the planing how to increase the birds generation in this world we should prevent those people who killing the birds.
May 27th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
I care.
The justification for the kind of activities that produces these results is that they provide improvements to the quality of human life, but surely a future world devoid of all this beautiful diversity will diminish that quality. When will we say ‘enough’.
May 27th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
Charlie has raised a good point.
I care.
But did I do anything to prevent this from happening?
The answer is: Nope
May 27th, 2010 at 12:51 pm
Because we´ll never get a chance to see that bird alive again, and our children and coming generation will not get that chance either.
May 27th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
I care because life is “sacred”. Everything is sacred or nothing is. To loose a specie is to loose a bit of ourselves.
May 27th, 2010 at 12:13 pm
Yes, I care; grebes are one of my favourite families of birds. A day when you see a grebe is a day which is not completely wasted. And now there’s one less kind in the world. One less source of joy.
May 27th, 2010 at 11:43 am
it is very sad, i think all humans should pickup and live on one continent and leave the others as natural reserves.
May 27th, 2010 at 11:13 am
Im from South Africa and im not a bird person, but of course I care.
You just said it Beth (above).
How sad this planet has become
May 27th, 2010 at 10:52 am
With all the sadness of the loss of the Grebe , there is something positve WE can all do! The world’s rarest Madagascan Duck, the Pochard needs all of our help!!!!!!
We can save this species!
May 27th, 2010 at 10:29 am
I care that everything is prettified, that woods have paved paths, that nettles are cut down and that only a few popular animals are given any hope of survival. It is theft from the future. It is a failure to see what is there.
May 27th, 2010 at 9:58 am
If this trend continues uncheck, than the day will not be too far for us to meet the doomsday following the steps of Martha,Dodo, Pink headed duck.And the day will be too late for mankind to realise the importance of our fellow species that we share on this planet.
May 27th, 2010 at 9:36 am
Yes, I care, undoubtedly I care. And I’ll care about all the upcoming extinctions. But that’s not going to be enough. Perhaps a better question might be, “You say you care, what did you do to help?”. I did nothing for the Alaotra Grebe – and now it’s too late. Too hairshirt? Perhaps, but unless we are all prepared to help it really doesn’t matter how much we say we care.
May 27th, 2010 at 9:17 am
When any species becomes extinct its an alarm call for our planet. Man has to realize that the way we use our resources today will be detrimental for earth and mankind. Its sad and outrageous!
May 27th, 2010 at 9:11 am
Big business, small business, subsistence living, careless introductions of alien species, accidental introduction, etc etc … whatever the reason, we have lost another species.
The important thing is to learn from this and improve our mechanisms to try our best to stop it happening again … this is the big question for me. Any ideas???
May 27th, 2010 at 8:01 am
Its really sad. People don’t realise whts hpping and by the time they realise their folly it will be too late………
May 27th, 2010 at 8:00 am
After we have killed off everything else, the planet won’t support human life either. “Ask not for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee.”
May 27th, 2010 at 8:00 am
I am saddened by this. Every species contributes something valuable to the earth. Birds, in particular, are innocent creatures – spirits of the air – and it is our role as the supposed most highly evolved species to protect these innocents and ensure their survival. I feel we are constantly letting the natural world down – to our own detriment. For every species that ends up extinct a bit more light goes out of the world. I grieve today at the loss of this beautiful bird. I am sorry little grebe. I would have saved you if I could.
May 27th, 2010 at 7:54 am
Besides it being our responsibility to save the species from extinction, it is also our responsibility to the younger generations to be able to enjoy what nature has to offer, the message of our wildlife resources, the colors, habits, sounds of the wildlife.
IUCN and Birdlife have to mobilise public opinion (including schools and college students), intensify monitoring, raise funds and recruit volunteers in saving the Red List species.
May 27th, 2010 at 7:39 am
Planet earth is a rare gem to humanity and, as far as we know, the cosmos as well. With every extinction comes the loss of a precious facet of planet earth. It’s a warning that we are headed in the same direction. All life is precious and each species unique and valuable to the ecosystem. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. This is the only planet we have. I think we can take better care of it.
May 27th, 2010 at 6:01 am
This tragic extinction event requires immediate attention to address the critical issue of poverty in Madagascar and many other developing countries that host much of the world’s biodiversity. Unless basic human needs are met, and people, particularly women, are educated, habitat destruction will continue and the list of wildlife extinctions will grow longer.
May 27th, 2010 at 5:52 am
Any time a species becomes extinct before its time, by the agent of mankind, is a tragedy of immeasurable proportions. May this somber example serve as a lesson that all life on Earth is fragile and irreplaceable, and that extinction is preventable.
May 27th, 2010 at 4:45 am
With every species that goes extinct our own extinction draws closer.
May 27th, 2010 at 4:17 am
I suppose life would be easier if I didn’t care, but it’s exactly extinctions like this that pushed me into the field of wildlife biology. The world has forever lost a unique creature- we’ll never really know what we’ve lost. Such a tragedy.
May 27th, 2010 at 2:45 am
How you vote determines the fate of the world! When anyone elects or re-elects a politician based on the way someone claims they are voting, you fail yourself and the world. Never should a politician be voted into office based solely on his or her popularity! Never should a politician remain in a political position based on people being afraid to recall or impeach the politician. When you let family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc. influence your vote, you fail yourself and the rest of the world! Anyone who cowards away from recalling or impeaching a bad/corrupt politician (especially a politician that does not care about preserving our natural environment), totally disrespects our U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. A coward is an asset to a bad/corrupt politician, who better to help the politician keep being corrupt.
I state the above because it is the cowardly citizens that are the real killers of our environment! It is the cowards of the world that allow bad/corrupt politicians to remain in office. Politicians get away with their corrupt behaviors because cowards give them the power to be corrupt. If the citizens of the United States really want our government to change for the better, more people need to stop being cowards and start recalling and impeaching bad/corrupt politicians out of office! We have a President in office now that thinks nothing and laughs when he is accused of being a Socialist! (Any of our past Presidents would have showed an outraged attitude not laughing, if the media portrayed any of them as being Socialists!) We have a President (and his wife) in office now who both think it is more important to be on the cover of all the fashion magazines, then it is to get fired up about the decline in our natural environment!
Our President now shows the same shady attitud, doing the same “secret” closed door meetings that got Nixon impeached! Why was Nixon impeached, but Obama is not? If Obama really took the title of U.S. President seriously, he would not allow himself or his family to be portrayed as a fashionistas. People need to speak up, stop being cowards, and start demanding Obama and his wife take the Office of the President very seriously. The people of the U.S. need to demand that the President and Michelle Obama stop playing to the cameras and start concentration on the very serious problems plaguing our country and the world. The title of President of the United States should NEVER be used as a stepping stone to a Hollywood or fashion career! As long as people coward away from political recalls and impeachment procedures, our natural environment remains doomed!
May 27th, 2010 at 2:36 am
Every species is precious, every extinction irreversible – how would one clone a minimum viable population? And sad as this is, it is just many of such announcements to come during the next few years. Eskimo Curlew, Po ªouli, Imperial Woodpecker and so forth. We know they’re gone, waiting for one last formality. It is important, however, to remain positive and commend the efforts that have saved the Black Robin, Azores Bullfinch and many more, and continue to support efforts to protect and restore various ecosystems that these species rely upon. As a friend put it, as a kid he associated extinction with dinosaurs. Talk to your kids about this, but also talk about the tireless efforts of countless many to save other species. All hope is not lost, even if today it took a considerable dent.
May 27th, 2010 at 2:35 am
I definitely care. This is very unfortunate.
May 27th, 2010 at 2:09 am
This is sad , horrible , shameful.
Yes I care : my heart is really empty while I read this news and realize how tragic this loss is .
An innocent being whose beautiful colors that was rejoicing this life and that will never be seen again .
Extinct ………..
The ‘power’ of the money , creating and destroying …
Really sad .
May 27th, 2010 at 1:41 am
I absolutely care.
Enough talk by international bodies. We need action.
John Isom
May 27th, 2010 at 1:21 am
Every species is precious, every extinction irreversible – how would one clone a minimum viable population? And sad as this is, it is just many of such announcements to come during the next few years. Eskimo Curlew, Po ªouli, Imperial Woodpecker and so forth. We know they’re gone, waiting for one last formality. It is important, however, to remain positive and commend the efforts that have saved the Black Robin, Azores Bullfinch and many more, and continue to support efforts to protect and restore various ecosystems that these species rely upon. As a friend put it, as a kid he associated extinction with dinosaurs. Talk to your kids about this, but also talk about the tireless efforts of countless many to save other species. All hope is not lost, even if today it took a dent.
May 27th, 2010 at 1:17 am
As a New Zealander I’ve been brought up to have concern and knowledge of the importance of every breed of bird animal or tree and it is always tragic to learn that a species is completely gone forever.
Hopefully this news will alert people to the fact that there are other birds in the same predicament but no matter how endangered they are, it is never too late to bring them back from the brink.
It takes money and people who care, along with a massive shift in understanding and the way we all treat our environment.
May 27th, 2010 at 12:13 am
This is so heart breaking!!!
This only goes to show that one can only but do so much.. As an aspiring conservationist occurrences like this makes me wonder if am on the right track or if this is a futile mission and only a meal ticket.
I care a lot and can only hope we all care enough to do something positive and long lasting to help the remaining species…
May 27th, 2010 at 12:08 am
Another fine example of mankinds egotistical greed and carelessness towards this world of ours, it is time for the governments and the world to wake up and pay attention to matters that count. This disgusts and saddens me.
May 27th, 2010 at 12:07 am
Every time something unique is lost it is sad.
May 27th, 2010 at 12:04 am
Another fine example of humanities egotistical desires and greed and careless attitude towards this world of ours, everybody on this planet should care while there are still birds to care about. Imagine how grey this world would be without the joyous site of our feathered friends and their songs. Time for the governments to wake up and start concerning themselves over matter such as these. This disgusts me.
May 27th, 2010 at 12:01 am
This is so heart breaking… It only goes to show that one can only but do so much and for an aspiring conservationist like me it makes me ask myself am i on the right track?? is this a futile cause?? because every species lost marks a failure….
May 26th, 2010 at 11:57 pm
Birdlife International needs extinctions like this to raise it’s profile. If it’s about preventing extinctions, take these birds and put them in protected habitats, after all how much space is needed to protect the last pair. Oh wait, how did we get here in the first place? Did they wake up one morning and find there was only one pair left?
While it’s sad to see the demise of any species, surely if when a species reaches a critically low level, too low to maintain its existence, at least in the wild, it’s time to remove them from the wild to try and maintain a captive population, and hope return them to the wild when the possibility of survival had improved. Let’s use whatever resources we have, to help endangered species with sustainable populations, those that may actually may benefit from those resources.
Is this about us or the birds? How much money, time, manpower etc. has Birdlife international used on this bird, when did they know it was in terminal decline? Have these resources been wasted (of course they have, the bird’s gone), when they could have been deployed elsewhere?
Yes, I’m sad to see this or any species become extinct.
May 26th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
What an absolute disgrace. This should never be allowed to happen anymore there is so much cash ready for projects like protection of endangered species something should’ve been done a long time ago to help this poor bird.
VERY SAD INDEED
May 26th, 2010 at 9:50 pm
I care. And while I wish that this bird will be the last I know it won’t, especially considering the coming mass extinction due to global warming.
Why should we care about the permanent death of this species? Because if we can care about who Tiger Woods slept with, or who Angelina Jolie adopted, or any other inane celebrity drivel we should certainly be able to care about an entire species disappearing from the earth forever. I only wish that passing of the Alaotra Grebe would get 1/100 the attention that a sex scandal would…
May 26th, 2010 at 9:06 pm
I care. How arrogant and selfish we are.
May 26th, 2010 at 8:35 pm
Of course I care, but a better question might be to ask me, “What did you do to stop this extinction happening?” I did nothing and because of that it hardly seems to matter how much I care at all.
May 26th, 2010 at 7:59 pm
I care….I cried and wrote this poem in my journal:
Little Bird Gone by Nancy Patterson
Who mourns for you, little bird?
Struggling to stay alive.
Numbers decline,
Man speaks his greed
Every thing must listen.
Who speaks for you, little bird?
Gone now for probably decades,
Your song is no more
Asking only for one little lake
in the whole world.
Selfish you were not.
All you wanted was to live
and you were silenced.
Today you are forever remembered
As your name was placed on a list
of forgotten creatures.
Who will enter the final entry
When Man is the last to go?
May 26th, 2010 at 7:53 pm
Smash Anthropocentrism!
May 26th, 2010 at 7:31 pm
We all care to some extent. Our ignorance and selfishness will be our downfall.
May 26th, 2010 at 6:21 pm
I care. Every different thread in the self-perpetuating chemical reaction of life is a wonderful beautiful thing, and should be propagated as long as possible.
Everyone would agree that a world with no other life but humans and cockroaches would be tragically diminished, everyone would start caring at some point: but for most people that point is far off in an impoverished future. We need to draw the line now – a world with *any* fewer species is tragically diminished.
May 26th, 2010 at 6:14 pm
The main problem is the get rich quick attitude that governments need to advertise to get elected. Or remove corrupt governments who support people with short-term interests who care only about their own lives – not future lives. Sadly, it needs a whole load of countries to get together and exert pressure on countries who do not comply with simple guidlines on conservation issues. How you do that – heaven alone knows!
May 26th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
I chose this bird as my Wikipedia name to honour it’s fight for survival, and hoping it would survive. Another species destroyed in large part by plundering, pillaging, raping fishermen. These people must be brought under control. Many grebe species are threatened by similar problems to those confronted by the Alaotra.
Nicholas
May 26th, 2010 at 6:00 pm
It is so sad… another one gone. It is our fault, we need to focus all our efforts on those critical endangered birds and its habitats!
May 26th, 2010 at 5:54 pm
I care. And we should not give up, there seem to have been some successful recoveries from “the brink of extinction” for a few spp because of tireless efforts of too few people who care – but at the same time I am pessimistic: human sp is the problem, hell-bent on engulfing/outcompeting/displacing/eradicating/extirpating everything else. Unless the “saved” spp has adequate and protected habitat for perpetuity it has just had a temporary reprieve from ultimately truly dissappearing forever.
May 26th, 2010 at 5:25 pm
“we have seen the enemy and it is us.”
May 26th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
i think that creatures makes a big link between them and every living creature has its role to play in life and in this link and is a very important element in maintaining the stability of our daily life , so if any of these creatures was missed of this link this would surly make a fatal shortage in this link wish eventualy ends with a big problem for all
May 26th, 2010 at 4:54 pm
The extinction of the Alaotra grebe is especially tragic, because it would clearly have been possible to transfer breeding pairs to other lakes or ponds without carnivorous fish before it was too late. This is clearly a lack of commitment or oversight of the government and other organizations. There is enough money wasted on other environmental issues, which make the extinction of the grebe (the Junin greebe will soon follow!)unforgivable.
May 26th, 2010 at 4:42 pm
Every single loss of a species, whether it is a bird, mammal or insect, disturbs the complex web of life and renders it more vulnerable to disease, pestilence and extinction. As caretakers of this planet, it is our responsibility to ensure the viable future of each and every species possible. We are but a small part of a vast ecosystem, all connected and all living.
May 26th, 2010 at 4:33 pm
A lot of people do care but feel helpless in the face of pure hatred by landowners, loggers, farmers, hunters etc who help to wipe out whole species with their complete disregard for wildlife and their lust for more money for themselves and their shareholders.
May 26th, 2010 at 4:33 pm
I do care, very much. But what can one person do? Who’s responsible for allowing the gill nets? Who introduced the invasive predator fish to the lake where this species lived? They are the ones at fault here. Actually, all humanity is at fault to some degree. For centuries we have taken and taken and taken until the Earth has very little left to give. Humans will continue to take until there’s nothing left.
One day, we will be very sorry for the damage we have to Mother Earth. But by then, it will be too late to begin to care.
May 26th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Every species we lose is another badge of shame for mankind. Sadly not enough care, this will not make the national news bulletins in the UK or any other European country I suspect. Probably 98% of humans will never of heard of Alaotra Grebe.
The RSPB has 1m members, less than 2% of the UK who care. Most people spend more on satellite TV in one month than they contribute to conservation, what does that say about us?
May 26th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Its so sad, there is need for more funding and research to be channeled towards management of species which are almost extinct. This is sad news indeed just the thought that we shall and will never have that species again.
Lets all work together i our own local environments to make a change globally
May 26th, 2010 at 4:05 pm
it is very sad.we need to do something to our environment to stop further extinctions.
May 26th, 2010 at 3:36 pm
Sad news. The point Simon raises is important: it’s not enough just to care. We need to take action so that other birds don’t follow the Aloatra Grebe into the abyss. We can take personal action to reduce our consumption and energy use, and perhaps even more importantly, we can also take political action by letting our politicians know what sort of society we want to live in: one in which there is space for nature and in which we decide to put limits on human consumption.
May 26th, 2010 at 3:25 pm
It is sad for such a beautiful bird to disappear. The Global Community should support BirdLife to prevent any further Extinctions.
May 26th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
Such a beautiful bird, another terrible loss. I do care.
May 26th, 2010 at 3:10 pm
I care. This is a tragedy but there is always hope in the future. Keep working towards saving these species that are in need!
May 26th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
Another tragic loss. I do care.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
It really is a sad. Such a waste as well, since we can all exist on this planet, all we need to do is be considerate.
More needs to be done to educate the people living with the endangered species. Legal measures should be put in place to protect the species, and legislation put in place to prosecute offenders. Talking about it only will not help the other species that are in danger of extnction. ACTION IS NEEDED.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:58 pm
Demanding reasons to justify that which all compassionate, informed people value is a devilish sleight-of-hand on the part of profit-driven businessmen and politicians. I say answer not a fool according to his folly.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
Another gone, the cynic in me knows that unfortunately it will not be the last…
Keep up the good work.
May 26th, 2010 at 1:01 pm
Of course we care, but as we sit here with our technology, it doesn’t matter how much we care if the locals are ignorant to a species’ plight. What was being done to educate the fisherman? Will the person (if it was a person?) who introduced the fish to the habitat be brought to justice? How long will it be before our summer visitors are extinct thanks to the ignorance of european hunters blasting everything from the skies? Lets hope our new UK Government does something about the likes of Malta breaking EU Hunting Laws.
May 26th, 2010 at 12:46 pm
It grieves me to hear of the demise of any animal species and the Alaotra Grebe is no exception. When will we learn that these extinctions are not only robbing us and our children of beautiful creatures but it is fueling our own demise.
I can only hope that there’s a hidden population of these grebes still persisting waiting for rediscovery.
May 26th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
We are all teached some Ecology at school and high school, but like with many other subjects, we don’t realize it is useful or see the ‘practical point’. Species play a role in an ecosystem, and even if predictions and models are made, how can we be completely sure removing some of them (putting key species aside) will mean removing ourselves from the system? And there’s the feeling and the ethics, which of course, the non-romantic people always exclude.
May 26th, 2010 at 11:55 am
Every time we meddle we do more harm than good. Introducing sport fish for peoples pleasure killed off this superb bird. We must take responsibility for our actions. When we purchase an item we are responsible for how it was made and delivered. If we use pesticides we are responsible for the harm they do. In our gardens if we use slug pellets don’t expect to hear Song Thrushes. We will cause more extinctions because of our greed & self interest. I can’t explain how sad I am when I hear of an extintion but please lets turn this sad day into a turning point, please support all efforts to save our wonderful diverse wild life. Please support Birdlife International.
May 26th, 2010 at 11:48 am
Yet another illustration of mankinds’ neglect and abuse of an element of our natural heritage. The introduction of gill nets and carnivorous fish are both associated with conscious decisions taken by humans, the individuals from which should be brought to book in some way. If a valuable painting or artefact of international repute and value was allowed to deteriorate and be destroyed there would undoubtedly be a backlash and enquiry. Why does our natural heritage command such little respect by comparison?. Each component is an irreplaceable gem arising out of evolutionary “progression” and not an item we should feel free to tamper with or neglect in any way. Yet another sad example of our arrogance!
May 26th, 2010 at 11:05 am
Sad to see Alaotra grebe confirmed extinct – a number of other similar species at risk like Titicaca Grebe and Junin Grebe…
May 26th, 2010 at 11:02 am
Another aspect of the universe diminished; a creature removed from existence, by our actions or inactions.
This Earth will look after itself, we’re rubbish and need removed; give something else a chance.
May 26th, 2010 at 10:30 am
The Earth does not belong to us, we belong to the Earth. Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.
May 26th, 2010 at 10:13 am
Gutted.
I care because every species has the right to exist, and humans have no right to end the existence of a species.
May 26th, 2010 at 9:50 am
This is another blow to biodiversity. A very sad loss of a beautiful bird which survived thousands of years of adaptation and evolution only to come undone at the hands of man. We know that what is good for birds is good for humans so we need to do far more to protect habitats.
May 26th, 2010 at 9:47 am
What a great loss! I sincerely hope the Madagascar Pochard has got a better future on this magnificent island!
May 26th, 2010 at 8:51 am
Gone forever. It is a sad day.
Why do I care? I am an animal-rights proponent. And a community of beings will never have rights (protected interests, that is — in brief, respect) if they are gone before we learn to extend this concept.
Lee Hall
VP – Legal Affairs
Friends of Animals
May 26th, 2010 at 8:31 am
Very sad news!
May 26th, 2010 at 8:30 am
What a sad loss to the world.
May 26th, 2010 at 8:23 am
This is very bad news. Its not even the sort of animal you keep in captivity.
May 26th, 2010 at 8:20 am
Gutted about the extinct grebe.
May 26th, 2010 at 8:19 am
News like this always makes my heart sink. So very sad….
May 26th, 2010 at 8:18 am
This is devastating!
May 26th, 2010 at 8:16 am
Mankind is on the extinction list as well, but with us it’s self inflicted. We are a heavy duty user and abuser/polluter of nature. A waster of non-replenishable resources at alarming rates.
We are the few minutes to midnight phase of our existence and there is nothing we can do about it.
May 26th, 2010 at 7:37 am
One extinction is one too many.
Two bilion of years of evolution and this beautiful species will never be seen again.
May 26th, 2010 at 7:02 am
It’s tragic of course, but it begs the question:
‘as more species become extinct (and general global trajectories across taxa, habitats and regions indicate they quite probably will), are the public, media and decision makers going to become increasingly concerned and galvanised into actions commensurate to scale of the problem? Alternatively, will more frequent extinctions and losses lead to greater desensitisation and weary indifference?’
May 26th, 2010 at 7:01 am
What tragic news. We all have to try harder and committ ourselves to bird conservation. Any species lost is no longer acceptible in a supposed civilised world with endless financial ability to save species.
May 26th, 2010 at 4:00 am
While logistically there probably is other life in the universe, we have *no actual proof* and so every species, is special. It will never again exist. And we just killed another.