1. Food: Dodos were hunted for food by humans. Their meat was often consumed, and some historical accounts suggest that their feathers were also used for decorative purposes.
2. Curiosity and Spectacle: The dodo's unique appearance and behavior made it a subject of curiosity and fascination. It was known to be a gentle and trusting bird, and due to its lack of fear, it fell victim to hunting easily. Many sailors and explorers who encountered the dodo brought specimens back to Europe and other parts of the world for display.
3. Loss of Habitat and Displacement: The arrival of humans in Mauritius had a significant impact on the dodo's habitat. The clearing of forests for agriculture, the introduction of non-native predators such as rats and cats contributed to the decline and eventual extinction of the dodo.
4. Ecological Role: The dodo played an essential role in the ecosystem of Mauritius before human intervention. As a frugivore, it dispersed seeds and contributed to the distribution of native plant species.
Unfortunately, the combination of hunting and habitat loss led to the dodo's extinction by the end of the 17th century. While it did have some significance as a food source and a source of curiosity, its limited use for humans pales in comparison to the importance of its ecological role and the lessons its extinction offers about the vulnerability of unique and fragile ecosystems.