The Extinction of the Great Auk - History Daily

Summary

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

Release Date: June 3, 2025

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

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 (0:00)

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.