Chatham Islands Rail
Extinct circa 1900 CE • Chatham Islands
"By 1900, the Chatham Islands rail appeared to have vanished and it has never been seen since. it is doubtful if the spate of collecting added significantly to the decline of the species for the original vegetation of Mangare was burned off and the ground replanted to provide pasture for sheep. In addition cats overran the island. Almost certainly, the rails lacked the ability to withstand this combination of circumstances."
Fuller, Errol. Extinct Birds. Ithaca, NY: Comstock Pub., 2001. 126.
Cabalus modestus, John Gerrard Keulemans, supplement to Buller, Sir Walter Lawry. "History of the Birds of New Zealand" (1905).
Learn about Maya Lin’s fifth and final memorial: a multi-platform science based artwork that presents an ecological history of our world - past, present, and future.
Discover ecological histories and stories of former abundance, loss, and recovery on the map of memory.
Learn how we can reduce our emissions and protect and restore species and habitats – around the world.
See how art can help us rethink the problems we face, and give us hope that each one of us can make a difference.
Help make a global memorial something personal and close to home. Share your stories of the natural world.