Lessons from the extinct dodo

AS we drove around beautiful Mauritius, I was intrigued by the images of a bird in malls, shops, parks and on signboards.

When I asked our guide, he smiled and said: “Oh, that’s the dodo.” He waxed eloquent about this plump, flightless bird that was once native to Mauritius and became extinct over 300 years ago.

During our five-day tour of this island in the Indian Ocean, I learnt more about the dodo, a symbol of national identity there. We encountered giant dodo statues in parks and food courts; the bird has lent its name to restaurants and coffee shops and figures prominently on bags, clothing, beach towels, beer and rum bottle labels. It also appears on the country’s stamps and coat of arms.

Curious to know more, we decided to visit the dodo gallery even though it was not on our itinerary. The gallery showcases the history of this bird through pictures, sketches, life-size exhibits and skeletal remains.

While leaving the gallery, we spotted a short but powerful message: “Extinct but not forgotten.”

The dodo may be extinct, but it is alive and squawking as it were, remaining a poignant symbol of Mauritius. More importantly, it cautions humans to protect various species on the planet and not let them go the way of the dodo. The dodo’s story is a great lesson in protecting biodiversity.

A visit to the Aapravasi Ghat in Port Louis, the capital, was also memorable. A UNESCO world heritage site, it houses the remains of an immigration depot from where modern indentured labour emerged. This was the place that received indentured labourers in the 19th century from India, China, East Africa and elsewhere to work on the island’s sugar plantations.

It was distressing to see the sheds that housed the immigrants, the objects they used, the lavatories and the symbolic flight of 14 steps upon which all immigrants had to lay foot before entering the depot. The well-curated museum within the complex, with its explanatory panels, delved into the history of the indentured labourers.

Despite the hardships and suffering, these immigrants pulled on to make something of their lives and help build the country. Thanks to them, Mauritius is a rich melting pot of cultures today with descendants of Indians accounting for 70 per cent of the population. It made my heart swell with pride to learn about the contribution of Indians and how harmoniously the diverse population lives in Mauritius.

We visited several interesting places in Mauritius, but the lessons taught by the dodo and the Aapravasi Ghat were truly an eye-opener.

Musings