Dodo Science: the real facts and latest research about the dodo

The first visit of the Dutch on the island of Mauritius in 1598
The first printed view of Mauritius, with the first printed image of a dodo (in circle). From the etching published in 1600 by Cornelis Claesz., here in the 1646 Commelin impression. Image courtesy Prof. Leon Claessens

About

How it all started

Our research into the dodo started with the chance rediscovery of the Mare aux Songes for one of us. For another, it started with the renewed appreciation f the dodo specimens found by Etienne Thirioux, a ladies hairdresser in Port Louis, Mauritius, around the turn of the previous century. We have since 3D scanned and published these remarkable specimens as the 2015 Memoir of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology.

Our story

After rediscovering the Mare aux Songes dodo mass grave near the international airport of Mauritius, we’ve felt compelled to literally pull the story of the dodo, with all its twists, turns, and misconceptions, out of the swamp. Read our story as we develop this website further in February of 2024.

Our approach

You’ll see! More coming soon!

The dodo is a true icon of extinction

there is much left to learn