Humans beings were the largest threat to the great auk, hunting the species for its meat, feathers, and use as bait for other fish. Hunting was exacerbated in the early 1800s when the value for of their feathers, which were soft, light, and fluffy skyrocketed. During this time, entire islands of great auks were nearly decimated.
Domesticated Rats and Pigs
Rats were often introduced to islands near Newfoundland as a food source for fishermen, and they would consume great auk eggs. Pigs were thought to be introduced by early European explorers to the same region, and they ate great auk chicks.