The dodo, the deer and a 1647 voyage to Japan

Authors
Publication date 2015
Journal Historical Biology
Volume | Issue number 27 | 2
Pages (from-to) 258-264
Organisations
  • Other - Universiteitsbibliotheek
Abstract More has been written about the iconic Dodo Raphus cucullatus of Mauritius than any other extinct bird, yet despite its familiarity, only a few specimens were exported from Mauritius; individual birds reached Europe alive in 1626 and 1638 and at least two survived a journey to India in 1625. There are also vague records of other exported birds. Here, we provide confirmation based on seventeenth century documents that a live Dodo was sent to Japan in 1647, the last known captive bird, and comment on the details of its long and arduous voyage.
Document type Article
Language English
Published at
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