The Extinction of the Great Auk

Summary

History Daily Episode Summary: "The Extinction of the Great Auk"

Release Date: June 3, 2025

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Introduction

On this poignant episode of History Daily, host Lindsey Graham delves into the tragic extinction of the Great Auk, a once-abundant flightless bird that inhabited the Atlantic coastlines of northern Europe and America. Through vivid storytelling and historical accounts, Graham illuminates the factors that led to the bird's demise and the lasting impact it left on conservation efforts.

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The Final Days of the Great Auk

Setting the Scene: Reykjanes, Iceland, June 1858

The episode opens with a gripping narrative set in June 1858 on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwestern Iceland. Two Englishmen, 29-year-old explorer and ornithologist Alfred Newton and his 35-year-old companion John Woolley, arrive with hopes of witnessing the rare Great Auks—a species believed by many to be extinct.

[00:00] Lindsey Graham: "They come here looking for something very rare and special. A flightless bird called the Great Auk."

Despite their extensive search along the rugged volcanic coastline, Newton and Woolley find only skeletal remains of the auks, realizing too late that the species has already vanished.

[03:58] Narration: "Alfred slides the last few feet onto the beach and catches hold of John's shoulder to stop himself from toppling over."

Their unsuccessful expedition underscores the gravity of the extinction, highlighting that the Great Auk had disappeared 14 years earlier, on June 3, 1844, due to relentless hunting by Icelandic fishermen.

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The 1844 Expedition: Jan Branson's Hunt

June 3, 1844: Elde Island, Iceland

The narrative shifts to the pivotal events of June 3, 1844, detailing the expedition led by Icelandic fisherman Jan Branson. Branson and his crew set out to Elde Island, driven by the lucrative demand for Great Auks among wealthy European collectors.

[05:01] Lindsey Graham: "They've come here looking for something very rare and special."

Branson's expedition faces treacherous waters and harsh weather, yet determination drives him to capture the birds. The crew successfully harvests two Great Auks and discovers a valuable egg, which ultimately proves useless due to its broken shell.

[08:25] Narration: "Neither Jan nor any of the other hunters will suspect that the birds they killed on Elde island were the last of their kind."

This moment marks the final chapter in the Great Auk's existence, as Branson's actions inadvertently seal the species' fate.

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Alfred Newton's Quest and Advocacy

1858-1866: The Aftermath and Scientific Pursuit

Alfred Newton, deeply affected by the extinction, dedicates himself to scientific research and conservation. His partnership with John Woolley at Cambridge University exemplifies his commitment to understanding and preserving wildlife.

[05:01] Narration: "Alfred and John have been close friends since their student days at Cambridge University, and they share a love of science and zoology."

After returning empty-handed from Iceland, Newton publishes a heartfelt article in 1861, lamenting the loss of the Great Auk and emphasizing the urgent need for wildlife conservation. His passionate advocacy leads to significant legislative changes, including the Seabirds Preservation Act.

[16:19] Misha Brown Introduction: While not directly related, this segment emphasizes the broader theme of ambition and unintended consequences, paralleling Newton's dedication and the unforeseen extinction of the Great Auk.

Newton's efforts culminate in his appointment as the first Professor of Zoology and Comparative Anatomy at Cambridge University in 1866, where he inspires future generations to prioritize conservation.

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Legacy and Conservation Lessons

The Enduring Impact of the Great Auk's Extinction

The extinction of the Great Auk serves as a somber reminder of the fragile balance between human exploitation and ecological preservation. Despite Newton's groundbreaking work and the eventual establishment of protective laws, the loss of the Great Auk underscores the delayed response often inherent in conservation efforts.

[17:25] Lindsey Graham: "The last great auk, killed during Jan Branson's expedition, can still be seen in the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences in Brussels."

This relic stands as a testament to what can be lost when natural resources are exploited without foresight. Newton's legacy, however, lives on through his contributions to zoology and the nascent conservation movement, inspiring continued efforts to protect endangered species.

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Conclusion

In "The Extinction of the Great Auk," History Daily masterfully weaves historical events with personal narratives to highlight the irreversible consequences of human actions on wildlife. Through Alfred Newton's quest and the tragic end of the Great Auk, the episode advocates for proactive conservation measures, urging listeners to learn from the past to safeguard the future of our planet's biodiversity.

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Notable Quotes

• Lindsey Graham [00:00]: "They come here looking for something very rare and special. A flightless bird called the Great Auk."

• Lindsey Graham [05:01]: "Alfred and John have been close friends since their student days at Cambridge University, and they share a love of science and zoology."

• Lindsey Graham [16:19]: "The last great auk, killed during Jan Branson's expedition, can still be seen in the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences in Brussels."

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Produced by Noiser and Airship, this episode of History Daily is meticulously researched and brought to life through compelling storytelling and expert narration.

Transcript

[Lindsey Graham]

There are more ways than ever to listen to History Daily ad free. Listen with Wondry plus in the Wondery app as a member of Noiser plus at noiser.com or in Apple Podcasts. Or you can get all of History Daily plus other fantastic history podcasts at IntoHistory.com 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 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 stones skids out from beneath his boots. Alfred slides the last few feet onto the beach and 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 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, Alfred'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 fishermen on June 3, 1844. History Daily is sponsored by Etruby. Lately you may have been hearing about a serious but rare heart condition called attr, Cardiac amyloidosis or attrcm. Because symptoms can be similar to other heart conditions, it may take time to be diagnosed. But learning more about ATTRCM and a treatment called Atruby, also called Acharamidus, could be important for you or a loved one. Atruby is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with ATTRCM to reduce death and hospitalization due to heart issues. In one study, people taking Atrubey saw an impact on their health related quality of life and 50% fewer hospitalizations due to heart issues than people who didn't take Atruby, giving you more chances to do what you love with who you love. Tell your doctor if you're pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding and about the medications you take. The most common side effects were mild and included diarrhea and abdominal pain. If you have attrcm, talk to your cardiologist about attruby or visit attruby.com that's att r u b-y.com to learn more.

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[Lindsey Graham]

From Noiser and Airship I'm Lindsey Graham and this is 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, 14 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 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. Yan 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. Yon 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. Yan 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 Jan 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]

Lamont Jones world is shattered when his cousin dies in custody just weeks after entering prison. The official report says natural causes, but bruises and missing teeth tell a different story. From Wondery comes Death County, Pennsylvania, a chilling true story of corruption and cover ups that begins as one man search for answers, but soon reveals a disturbing pattern. Lamont's cousin's death is just one of many and powerful forces are working to keep the truth buried. With never before heard interviews and shocking revelations, Death County Pa pulls back the curtain on one of America's darkest institutional secrets. This isn't just another true crime story. It's happening right now. Follow Death County PA on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge all episodes of Death County PA early and ad free right now by joining Wondery. It's May 3, 1858, in the bustling port of Reykjavik, the capital city of Iceland, 14 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, 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 east coast of Canada. But there's been no sightings for years. And Alferd 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, Alferd 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 will 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. 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 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. Alferd spends the next three years writing up their experiences together, and in October 1861, he publishes an article about their failed 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. Alferd 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 has formed a 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 Branson'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 one 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 1st 4th, 1783. Two French siblings hold a public demonstration of their new invention, the hot air balloon. From Noiser and Airship, this is History Daily. Hosted, edited and executive produced by me, Lindsey Graham Audio editing by Mohammad Shazib 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.