In a shocking and controversial decision, authorities in Mauritius confirmed today that the last known dodo bird, affectionately named “DooDoo,” was euthanized by local police following what they described as a “public safety incident.” The decision has sparked outrage from conservationists, scientists, and the general public worldwide.
DooDoo, a genetically revived specimen created through advanced de-extinction technologies, had been housed at the Mauritius Biodiversity Reserve since 2023. Heralded as a symbol of humanity’s second chance to reverse the tragic mistakes of the past, DooDoo was considered not only a scientific marvel but also a global icon of conservation efforts.
According to an official statement from the Mauritius Police Force, DooDoo was euthanized late Monday night after allegedly “displaying increasingly aggressive behavior” during an unsupervised outdoor exercise session. Police claim the bird posed an “immediate threat” to nearby park visitors and that non-lethal containment methods failed. . A veterinary investigation will be conducted at the State Animal Medical Center. His untimely death underscores the urgent need to reevaluate how law enforcement handles exotic pet situations.
"The decision was not made lightly," said Police Commissioner Réjean Lavigne in a press conference. “While we deeply regret the outcome, we acted out of necessity to protect public safety.”
However, eyewitnesses have painted a different picture. Several onlookers reported that DooDoo appeared agitated but not dangerous, with some suggesting that the bird was startled by a loud drone flying overhead.
News of the euthanization quickly spread across social media, with hashtags like #JusticeForDooDoo, #DodoDown, and #ExtinctAgain trending within hours. Prominent conservation groups, including the World Wildlife Federation and ReGenesis, which had funded part of the dodo revival program, issued strong statements condemning the act.
“This is not only a failure of law enforcement but a catastrophic failure of human responsibility,” said Dr. Elaine Cheng, lead geneticist on the Dodo Resurrection Initiative. “We brought this species back from extinction only to fail it again. There must be accountability.”
Mauritius’ Ministry of Environment has launched an independent investigation into the events leading up to DooDoo’s death. Early reports suggest gaps in animal handling protocols and questions over whether police were adequately trained to respond to incidents involving genetically resurrected species.
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