Mystery of the Extinction of Dwarf Elephants and Hippopotamuses in Cyprus Unveiled

Scientists have uncovered the mystery behind the extinction of dwarf hippopotamuses and dwarf elephants that once roamed Cyprus thousands of years ago. The primary cause of their disappearance may have been the hunting methods of ancient humans.

The study, conducted by the European Regional Development Fund and the Republic of Cyprus through the Research and Innovation Foundation as part of the MIGRATE project, employed mathematical models combining paleontological and archaeological data to examine the impact of hunting techniques on species extinction.

In ancient times, Cyprus was home to 500-kilogram dwarf elephants (Palaeoloxodon cypriotes) and 130-kilogram dwarf hippopotamuses (Phanourios minor). Both species vanished shortly after the first humans arrived on the island around 14,000 years ago.

Scientists believe that Paleolithic hunter-gatherers on Cyprus may have driven these species to extinction in less than 1,000 years. This new research, led by Professor Corey Bradshaw from Flinders University in Australia, challenges earlier theories that small human populations could not have caused such rapid extinctions.

Models that account for human energy needs, diet, prey selection, and hunting efficiency suggest that an estimated 3,000 to 7,000 hunter-gatherers living on the island at the time were likely responsible for the extinction of both species.

The researchers found that the critical factor contributing to the extinction was the amount of edible meat these animals provided to the island's early inhabitants. The study also highlights how even small human populations can have a significant impact on local ecosystems, leading to large-scale extinctions even with limited technological capabilities.

This research aligns with the chronological pattern of megafaunal extinctions established by existing paleontological data.

Previously, scientists from Flinders University identified new dates for the settlement of Cyprus by early humans, suggesting that hunter-gatherers arrived on the island more than 14,000 years ago.