Dodos survived longer than first thought Scientists says the
extinct dodo probably survived nearly three decades beyond the
17th century date commonly given for its disappearance. The last
confirmed sighting of one of the flightless Indian Ocean birds
was on a small islet off Mauritius in 1662. However, zoologists
David Roberts and Andrew Solow now believe the species probably
struggled on until 1690 before dying out. The animal's
disappearance is believed to have been caused by a combination
of human settlement affecting its habitat and being hunted for
its attractive feathers.