1. Human Hunting:
* Overhunting: The sea cow was a slow-moving, docile animal, making it an easy target for hunters. They were hunted for their meat, skin, and blubber, which was used for oil.
* Lack of fear: Having never encountered humans before, they were not afraid of them, making them even easier to hunt.
2. Limited Range and Habitat Loss:
* Restricted to islands: The Steller's sea cow was only found in the waters around the Commander Islands in the Bering Sea. This limited their range and made them more vulnerable to overhunting.
* Limited diet: Their diet was restricted to kelp, which was plentiful in their habitat. This made them dependent on a specific environment, and any changes in their habitat could negatively impact their population.
3. Disease:
* While not the primary cause, some researchers believe that introduced diseases from human settlements may have weakened the sea cow population.
Timeline of Extinction:
* 1741: The species was first discovered by Georg Steller, who gave it its name.
* 1768: Last recorded sighting of a Steller's sea cow.
The speed of their extinction highlights the vulnerability of large, slow-reproducing animals to human exploitation.
The extinction of the Steller's sea cow is a cautionary tale about the impact of human activities on wildlife, reminding us of the need for responsible conservation efforts to protect endangered species.