The Extinction of the Great Auk

Summary

History Daily – “The Extinction of the Great Auk”

Host: Lindsey Graham
Air Date: June 3, 2026
Episode Summary by AI:

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Overview

This episode of History Daily centers on the extinction of the great auk—a large, flightless seabird—tracing the story from its last known sighting and subsequent killing in 1844, to the failed expeditions searching for remaining auks, and ultimately to the societal and scientific reckoning that led to early wildlife conservation efforts. Through immersive storytelling, host Lindsey Graham brings listeners to the windswept coasts of Iceland and into the minds of the explorers, hunters, and scientists whose actions—and inactions—shaped the fate of the great auk.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Last Hunt of the Great Auk (1844)

• Setting the Scene (00:40-03:12, 05:47-10:26):
  • In June 1858, English explorer Alfred Newton and John Woolley search the volcanic beaches of southwestern Iceland for the great auk, a bird once common but now practically vanished.
  • They find only skeletons—“the only sign of the great auk that Alfred Newton and John Woolley will ever find.”
  • The narrative rewinds to June 3, 1844, on Eldey Island, with fisherman Jan Branson leading a party to kill a nesting pair of great auks and collect eggs to sell to collectors.
    • The men battle treacherous seas and freezing currents to reach the birds.
    • The two last living great auks are killed, though the egg they sought is broken and rendered worthless.
    • The men receive “the equivalent of $1,500” for the birds.
    • Unbeknownst to them, “they will go down in history as the men responsible for the extinction of an entire species.” (09:56)

Human Demand and the Market for Extinction (12:39-17:14)

• 19th Century Obsession:

  • Alfred Newton and John Woolley arrive in Iceland in 1858, driven by their scientific interest and partly by the collecting craze of the era—displaying rare eggs and mounted animals in private collections.
  • Newton acknowledges his own complicity:

    “Even Alfred has joined in building up an extensive collection of bird eggs. But collectors like him have unwittingly contributed to the decline of several species. By creating a lucrative market in dead animals, they've encouraged hunters to track down and kill even the rarest and most endangered.” (14:09)

• Failed Search and Aftermath:

  • Despite months in Iceland, Newton and Woolley find only bones, and eventually confirm—after interviewing surviving witnesses from the 1844 hunt and reviewing evidence—that the species is extinct.
  • Woolley dies in 1859; Newton later publishes their research and reflections on extinction.

Lessons and the Birth of Wildlife Conservation (19:09–21:33)

• Advocacy:

  • In 1868, Newton delivers a passionate speech to the British Association for the Advancement of Science:

    "[He] rails against the extermination of birds of prey by gamekeepers and laments the thousands of other birds killed every year so their feathers can adorn women's hats. Alfred argues that each species has its place in the ecosystem and that mankind must protect wildlife from extinction.” (19:38–19:57)

  • The speech is met with growing public support and leads to actual policy action.
    • The Seabirds Preservation Act (1869) outlaws seabird hunting during breeding seasons.
    • The Society for the Protection of Birds is established (1891), pioneering bird conservation in the UK.

• Enduring Lessons:

  • The fate of the great auk stands as a lasting warning. Its mounted remains are “a reminder of what can be lost when the natural world is viewed as only a resource to exploit and not a gift to be nourished.” (21:21)
  • Despite Newton’s efforts, many still “haven’t learned” the lesson, even “over 150 years after the last great auks were killed on Eldey Island on June 3, 1844.” (21:48)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On discovering only bones:
  “With a sinking heart, he realizes that this beach is littered with the skeletons of the bird he spent months searching for.” — Lindsey Graham (02:10)

• On the impact of collecting: “By creating a lucrative market in dead animals, they've encouraged hunters to track down and kill even the rarest and most endangered.” — Lindsey Graham (14:25)

• On Jan Branson and the 1844 hunt:
  “But neither Jan nor any of the other hunters will suspect that the birds they killed on Eldey island were the last of their kind, or that they will go down in history as the men responsible for the extinction of an entire species.” (10:12)

• On conservation:
  “He [Newton] argues that each species has its place in the ecosystem and that mankind must protect wildlife from extinction. He tells his audience that if they do not take action now, they will receive few thanks from posterity.” (19:55)

• On the auk as a warning:
  “Stuffed and mounted on a wooden board, it is a reminder of what can be lost when the natural world is viewed as only a resource to exploit and not a gift to be nourished.” (21:21)

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Timestamps for Key Moments

• 00:40–03:12: Newton and Woolley’s search on the Icelandic coast
• 05:47–10:26: The last hunt and extinction of the great auk on Eldey Island in 1844
• 12:39–17:14: Newton and Woolley’s expedition, interviews, and confirmation of extinction
• 19:09–21:33: Alfred Newton’s advocacy and the birth of conservation efforts
• 21:21–21:48: Reflections on the auk’s legacy and remaining lessons

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Tone and Language

Lindsey Graham’s narration blends historical drama and scientific reflection, often placing listeners inside the thoughts and emotions of the principals—Newton’s regret, the hunters’ urgency, and the world’s growing awareness. The tone is poignant and cautionary: the story stands as both a detailed historical reconstruction and a moral lesson on humanity’s relationship with the natural world.

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Conclusion

The Extinction of the Great Auk ties together a gripping narrative of loss, a meditation on human impact, and startling historical context to the roots of wildlife conservation. The legacy of the great auk—as told through the personal journeys of explorers, hunters, and early conservationists—remains profoundly relevant, reminding us of the high price of careless exploitation and the enduring importance of protecting the biodiversity of our planet.

Transcript

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[Lindsey Graham]

It's June 1858 in Reykjanes, a small headland on the southwestern coast of Iceland, 29 year old English explorer and ornithologist Alfred Newton makes his way carefully down a rock strewn slope to the the black volcanic beach below. Alfred has a limp and he leans heavily on a cane as he descends, but his companion, 35 year old John Woolley, has no such difficulties and he's already on the sand. As a cascade of stone skids out from beneath his boots, Alfred slides the last few feet onto the beach. He catches hold of John's shoulder to stop himself from toppling over. The two men give each other a small nod and then go to work. They've come here looking for something very rare and special, a flightless bird called the great auk. This bird was once common along the Atlantic coastlines of northern Europe and America, but there have been few reported sightings in recent years. Alfred and John have spent several months traveling across Iceland and they've tracked the last known location of the great auk to this remote spot. Even at this time of year, the volcanic coastline is buffeted by cold and stormy weather, but the tall cliffs offer some protection from the wind as the two men set off in search of the birds. With their long bodies, hooked beaks and striking black and white plumage, the great auks should be easy to spot. At 30 inches tall, they stand roughly the height of a 2 year old child. But after searching the shoreline, Alfred and John find no sign of the birds. As they make their way back along the beach, Alferd's cane strikes something hard and white in the sand. He bends over to pick it up. It's a wing bone, bleached by the salt water. He turns it over to reveal the telltale markings of a hunting knife. Alfred holds the bone up and waves it at his companion, but John has already found another a short distance away. Frowning, Alfred looks carefully at the sand, then spots more white objects just under the surface. With a sinking heart, he realizes that this beach is littered with the skeletons of the bird he spent months searching for. Despite an extensive search of the shore, the bones are the only sign of the Great auk that Alfred Newton and John Woolley will ever find. Alfred and John have missed their chance because the great auk is already extinct and the last of its kind was killed 14 years earlier by Icelandic fisherman on June 3, 1844.

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[Lindsey Graham]

From Noser and Airship, I'm Lindsey Graham, and this is History. Daily. History is made every day on this podcast. Every day, we tell the true stories of the people and events that shaped our world. Today is June 3rd, 1844 the extinction of the great auk. It's dawn on June 3rd, 1844, off the coast of southwestern Iceland. Fourteen years before Alfred Newton and John Woolley's trip to Reykjanes, Icelander Jan Branson pulls at the oars of a fishing boat in time with the 11 other men in his party. Seawater sprays his face, and Jan must blink to clear his vision. But as he does, the sheer cliffs of an island emerge through the mist ahead. Elde is a steep volcanic outcrop that thrusts out of the water almost 250ft into the air. There's only one safe place place to land, but Jan is confident that today's dangerous crossing will be worth it. Over the past few weeks, local fishermen have reported seeing a pair of great auks nesting on Elde Island. In his youth, Jan and his father used to come here to hunt for seabirds, including the auks. He can still remember watching his mother skin and gut the birds and the fatty taste of their cooked meat. But in recent years, the great auk seems to have disappeared from the area. That means there's high demand for the birds, and Jan knows that if he can catch one, wealthy collectors in the capital city of Reykjavik will pay handsomely for the prize. But it still won't be easy. The waters around Elbe are treacherous, and as they near the island, the boat pitches and rolls in the waves. Jan stows his oar and moves deftly to the bow of the rocking vessel. But just as he's about to leap into the shallows. The boat is caught by a huge wave taller than the men aboard. The vessel tips precariously, and Yan barely hangs on as the wave crashes on top of them. As the others hurry to bail out the water, the rest of Yan's hunting party joins him at the front of the boat. The three men wait for a break in the waves before plunging into the sea. The water is frigid and the current tugs at their legs, trying to pull them away from the island. But then Jan's feet touch the bottom and he pushes toward dry land. Yan and his companions soon make it out of the water, and they scramble up the rocks to safety. Higher up the slope, hundreds of seabirds are nesting. And amid the kittiwakes and gannets, Jan sees a pair of black and white birds far larger than the rest. It's the pair of great auks they've come for. Jan yells at his companions over the crash of the waves and the clamor of bird calls, and they follow him up the hill. As they approach, the auks flee their nest. Jan notices a large speckled egg lodged between the rocks. It would fetch a good price from collectors, so he decides to come back for it after he's caught the parents. The hunting party follows the ox toward the cliffs. Jan herds one to a crack in the rocks. The bird flaps its wing helplessly as Jan snatches it up and wrings its neck. He tosses the dead bird over his shoulder and goes in search of the other yawn. Finds it at the cliff's edge. Yon gives his men silent instructions and one of them lunges for the auk, catching its feet. He pins the bird down while another man strangles it. They return to the nesting site for the egg, but realize the shell's broken, making it worthless. Yon notices that the wind's picking up and the waves are fiercer than ever. So he decides it's time to get back to their boat. The men climb carefully down the rocks with bird carcasses over their shoulders. The two younger men then brave the icy water to climb aboard the boat. But Yan hesitates. He's numb with cold and drained from chasing the birds. His companions yell for him to get in the water. The boat is pitching perilously and risks being dashed against the rocks. But Jan doesn't move. Eventually, one of the sailors tosses a rope that lands at his feet. Jan takes hold and clings to it as the men pull him through the water back to the boat. Soaking wet, he's dragged on board and then collapses warily to the deck. But the exhausting efforts will be worth it. The next day, the two dead auks will sell for the equivalent of $1,500. But neither Jan nor any of the other hunters will suspect that the birds they killed on Elde island were the last of their kind, or that they will go down in history as the men responsible for the extinction of an entire species.

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[Lindsey Graham]

It's May 3, 1858. In the bustling port of Reykjavik, the capital city of Iceland. Fourteen years after the last recorded sighting of the great auk. English ornithologist Alfred Newton watches anxiously from the dock as porters carry his luggage down the gangplank. Alfred's companion, John Woolley, opens a chest and checks their equipment. Alfred and John have packed everything they need for four months because they suspect their mission is going to be a difficult and long one. They're planning to stay in Iceland for the entire summer in hope of catching sight of a great auk. Alfred and John have been close friends since their student days at Cambridge University, and they share a love of science and zoology. Their quest begins in Reykjavik, where John meets with local bird dealers and hunters. But there have been no recent sightings of the great auk. Meanwhile, they Alfred scours local libraries for written accounts of the bird and its habitats in the hope of identifying the most likely location they might still be found. But as he compiles their research, Alfred realizes just how rapidly the great auk has been disappearing. Once, the bird was a common sight on both sides of the Atlantic, from the shores of Scotland all the way to the east coast of Canada. But there's been no sightings for years. And Alfred fears he might have had a small part to play in the bird's rapid decline. For as long as great auks and humans have coexisted, both European and native American hunters have prized the bird for its meat, its soft down feathers and large nutrient rich eggs. But in the 19th century, Europe and North America have been swept by a new craze that's increased demand for species like the great auk. Collecting rare stuffed animals and preserved eggs now command vast sums of money from wealthy enthusiasts. Even Alfred has joined in building up an extensive collection of bird eggs. But collectors like him have unwittingly contributed to the decline of several species. By creating a lucrative market in dead animals, they've encouraged hunters to track down and kill even the rarest and most endangered. Dozens of mammals, birds, fish and reptiles have already been declared extinct. As a result, Alfred hopes that the great auk isn't among them and still survives in some remote part of the world. He thinks that Iceland may be his last, best chance to find an auk. He and John want to capture the remaining birds and take them home to England for public display and scientific study. At least that way there'll be some record of the bird after it dies out. As their summer in Iceland progresses, Alfred and John narrow their search to the southwest There they stay with a local fisherman who took part in an expedition on Elde island back in 1844. This fisherman recounts the capture and death of two great auks and their sale to a collector in Reykjavik. He introduces Alfred and John to the rest of the men of the expedition. And Alfred and John interview each one, taking detailed notes about their trip to Elde and the last moments of the great auks that were found there. But still, Alfred and John are no closer to spotting a great auk themselves. Themselves. Despite extensive searches of the coastline, they only find bones. After four months in Iceland, they are forced to return to England empty handed. On the voyage home, Alfred and John conclude that the two birds killed during the 1844 expedition to Eldey island were likely the last survivors. They make plans for a return trip the following year to confirm that the great auk is extinct. But that winter, John falls ill and and dies at the age of just 36. In his will, John leaves his entire wildlife collection and extensive notes to Alfred. Alfred is devastated by John's death and vows to honor their friendship by publishing as much of John's work as possible. And he begins with the fate of the great auk. Alfred spends the next three years writing up their experiences together. And in October 1861, he publishes an article about their failed quote, quest for the great auk. But that magazine article is just the beginning. Alferd's study of the auk's extinction makes him realize the value of conserving wildlife and the need to protect other species from a similar fate. He begins studying other seabirds that have been driven to near extinction by human activity and advocates for the protection of all wildlife from overhunting. Then in 1866, Alfred will become the first professor of zoology and comparative anatomy at Cambridge University. And there he'll educate and influence Britain's most promising young scientists in the hope that the next generation will take better care of the natural world and defenseless creatures like the lost great auk.

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[Lindsey Graham]

It's August 22, 1868, at a meeting house in Norwich, England, two years after Alfred Newton became professor of zoology at Cambridge University. The 39 year old Alfred still limps as he makes his way to a podium, accompanied by a smattering of quiet applause. The lecture hall is packed with members of the British association for the Advancement of Science, and Alfred can see some of the audience yawning and leaning back in their chairs. It's the end of a long meeting, and they're expecting another dry talk on natural history. But Alfred has something else in mind. Speaking passionately, he describes how animals, once common across the farms and fields of England are vanishing at an alarming rate. He rails against the extermination of birds of prey by gamekeepers and laments the thousands of other birds killed every year so their feathers can adorn women's hats. Alfred argues that each species has its place in the ecosystem and that mankind must protect wildlife from extinction. He tells his audience that if they do not take action now, they will receive few thanks from posterity. After Alfred is finished, the lecture hall erupts into a far more enthusiastic round of applause than the one that greeted him at the start, and the impact of Alferd's work is soon felt beyond the scientific community. The next day, newspapers praise his impassioned speech promoting his novel ideas to the general public. Alfred continues speaking out on behalf of wildlife at every opportunity, and his dedication soon pays off. The following year, British politicians enact the Seabirds Preservation act, which makes it illegal to hunt seabirds during their breeding seasons. And in 1891, the Society for the Protection of Birds is formed to campaign against all forms of bird hunting. But it will come too late for the great auk and countless other species like it Today. The last great auk killed during Jan Brandsen's expedition can still be seen in the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences in Brussels. Stuffed and mounted on a wooden board, it is a reminder of what can be lost when the natural world is viewed as only a resource to exploit and not a gift to be nourished. Despite the efforts of scientists like Alfred Newton, it is a lesson many still haven't learned over 150 years after the last great auks were killed on elde island on June 3, 1844. Next on History Daily June 4, 1974AMajor League Baseball game is abandoned after an ill conceived promotion ends up a boozy stadium riot. From Noiser and Airship this is History Daily Hosted, edited and executive produced by me, Lindsey Graham Audio editing by Mohammed Shazid Sound design by Gabriel Gould Supervising Sound Designer Matthew Filler Music by Thrum this episode is written and researched by Lauren Sudworth Edited by Scott Reeves Managing Producer Emily Burke Executive producers are William Simpson for Airship and Pascal Hughes for Noiser.

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