What is an example of humans over-hunting an animal to extinction?

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1 answer

One well-known example of humans over-hunting an animal to extinction is the passenger pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius). Once abundant in North America, the passenger pigeon was known for its enormous flocks that could darken the sky. However, in the 19th century, unregulated hunting, habitat destruction, and commercial exploitation led to a dramatic decline in their population. By the early 20th century, the species was declared extinct, with the last known individual dying in captivity in 1914. This extinction serves as a cautionary tale about the impact of human activities on wildlife populations.