Going, Going, Gone! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Nepal

If you do not manage to spot an Indian rhinoceros while visiting India, you will have to travel to the Chitwan National Park in Nepal. If you do not spot one there, you are unlikely to see it anywhere else except possibly a zoo. As of 2007 there were only about 2,000 of these animals left.

The closely related, but slightly smaller Javan rhino has only about 40-60 specimens remaining. All rhinos are endangered, mostly by poachers who want the horn. On the black market, ounce for ounce, rhino horn can sell for as much as gold does. Even with cultural differences taken into account, there is no excuse for their deliberate slaughter.

Answer: The Galapagos Islands

The Pinta Island tortoise is a perfect example of insular or island gigantism. This is a phenomenon by which reptiles, insects and birds on isolated islands have a tendency to become enormous. The opposite phenomena is known as island dwarfism is usually seen with mammals that have been isolated on islands for centuries. On Pinta Island, the tortoises had as much grass as they could eat and no real predators. For decades scientists attempted to breed George with other subspecies in attempts to save his genetic lines.

When George died, that was the end of it. It is highly unlikely that a Pinta Island tortoise will ever be seen again.

Answer: The Atlas lion

The black maned Barbary lion was also known as the Atlas lion. This beautiful breed of lion was, at one time, held at the Tower of London in medieval times. This species of lion was thought to have become extinct around WWII and was one of the largest lion species. It was known for the dark coloring and length of its mane and is sometimes referred to as the black-maned lion. It is postulated that their luxurious manes came from the lower temperatures in which they lived. The Atlas Mountains is one of the coolest locations on the continent.

When their prey animals became scarce because of human interference, their number starting declining. Once they started hunting livestock, they took a very quick trip down the road of extinction. At one time, this species of lion was found all over the Mediterranean region, with individuals living in southern Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa.

Answer: Grass

This 1889 photo depicts one of the very last Caucasian wisents after it had been killed by a human hunter. This species of bison was found in the Caucasus Mountains of Europe and parts of far-western Russia. This huge herbivore was a primary prey of large predators that had lived in the area such as wolves, lions, tigers, and bears. Sadly, both the prey and the predators have largely become extinct, mostly through hunting and habitat loss. There are some other subspecies of this animal that have been saved or bred-back, but it is highly unlikely that we will ever see pure-bred Caucasian wisents in the wild. The last specimen is believed to have been shot in 1927.

Answer: Quagga

The quagga, which lived in the drier parts of South Africa, became extinct after it was deliberately hunted down by farmers who viewed the animal as a competitor for the grass that was needed for livestock. As you can see in the photo, the biggest difference between the quagga and other zebras was that it was striped on the head, neck and front portion of its body only.

It was also beige and black as opposed to white and black. The name 'quagga' was derived from the sound it made.

Answer: Heath hen

At one time, the heath hen was found all along the east coast of the United States. By 1830 John Audubon was warning that this wild fowl was about to become extinct. By 1870, this tasty bird was found only on the tiny island called Martha's Vineyard off the coast of Cape Cod in Massachusetts. By the turn of the century, the population was down to only about fifty birds. Attempts were made to save the species and the population rose to about 2,000. Then a large fire spread through their nesting grounds followed by an unusually harsh winter and the population plummeted. Predatory birds, mainly the goshawk, started hunting them down. The last of the population was killed by a poultry disease brought to the island by domestic turkeys. The last living heath hen died in 1932.

While many of the causes of their extinction were natural, it is probable that if their populations had not been drastically reduced by human hunting, and their habitat destroyed for agricultural purposes, the heath hen would not have died out.

Answer: False

One of the more well-known cases of extinction in the 20th century, the thylacine was also known as the Tasmanian tiger and the Tasmanian wolf, but was never called the Tasmanian devil. That name belongs to a completely different animal. This unique animal was deliberately hunted into extinction through human ignorance.

This shy, nocturnal animal was the largest of the rare carnivorous marsupials. While there are scientist working the "recreate" this wonderful animal, for now at least, this animal is gone.

Answer: Hunted into extinction

First described in 1862, it took less than seventy years for the Schomburgk's deer to become extinct. Europeans' interest in this beautiful deer with an exceptional rack of antlers led to many deer being exported to be hunted. They had always been hunted in Asia because their antlers were believed to have medical and magical properties.

The Europeans were more interested in putting a trophy on the wall. Sadly, Schomburgk's deer did not do well when released into the wilds of Europe nor in captivity.

Their habitat was also threatened due to growing agricultural activities in that part of the world. Their inclination to inhabit swampy, wet regions endangered them, as this type of terrain was perfect for growing rice.

Answer: False

This is false. The tarpan lived in the steppes and forested areas of Eurasia. The tarpan was a lovely wild equine known for its strength and stamina. This animal died out due to inbreeding with domestic horses brought into the area. There have been efforts to breed back this horse by using other wild horses in these areas.

Some locations will even use the word 'tarpan' to describe the animals they have bred. But the real tarpan is gone and is not going to return.

Answer: The Atlas mountains

This is one of the very few photos of the bubal hartebeest, once common across northern areas of Africa, including the Atlas mountains. There are many types of hartebeests that have managed to live in almost every part of Africa. The bubal preferred grassy regions near the desert and the mountains.

Their elongated snout was capped by two forward facing horns. For centuries, herds that numbered in the hundreds roamed the continent. This adaptable herbivore could live almost anywhere. The last bubal in the wild is believed to have died around 1925 but the exact date or location cannot be proven.