Human Hunting and the Extinction of Megafauna: A 50,000-Year Review

Human Impact on Large Mammal Extinction

The debate over what caused the extinction of many large mammals, birds, and reptiles over the past 50,000 years has been ongoing for decades. Were humans or climate change responsible for these losses? Recent research¹ suggests a compelling answer.

Defining Megafauna and the Extinction Crisis

Megafauna refers to animals weighing at least 45 kilograms. Ove…