Remembering the Great Auk: Extinct on 3rd July, 1844

The Great Auk, a large, flightless bird once found in the North Atlantic, became extinct in the mid-19th century. Known for their black and white plumage and clumsy waddle, these birds were a tragic symbol of the vulnerability of species to human activities.

Why did the great auk go extinct?

Sailors thought these other worldly birds were witches and would create storms to sink their ships. The last unfortunate breeding pair fled in vain from hunters, who also crushed their single egg.

The Great Auk’s extinction is not just a tale of a bird lost to history, but a powerful reminder of our impact on the planet and the importance of conservation efforts.

Have a look at the Great Auk Field Guide in our Character section.

“A Dream Too Far,” is inspired by the Great Auk’s story.

Our musical story “Lost on Infinity” features the Great Auk and many other animals lost to history. The Island, where the last of every extinct animal species goes, is a central theme. This story is now being used in schools and homes across the world to help children understand difficult subjects like extinction. It is a hopeful story designed to stay in their hearts, inspiring a deeper connection to the natural world and the importance of preserving it.

Watch our lyric video, ‘A Dream Too Far’, on YouTube and join us in remembering the Great Auk, urging us all to dream of a world where such losses are a thing of the past

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Discover more through story and song

Lost on Infinity is a musical adventure story for children. It explores extinction, biodiversity and biomimicry through storytelling and original songs.

You can get the Lost on Infinity illustrated book with a free musical audiobook. It is designed to be a rich and immersive experience.

You can also listen to the first part of the audiobook and watch the animated adventure for free on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

We also offer free lesson plans and slides on extinction and biomimicry. You can also find more free classroom activities on our website.

For more ideas, explore the Stories, Science & Secrets podcast for kids. Each episode looks at how nature inspires science and storytelling.

Every creature has a secret. Every life is precious.

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About the creators

Elaine Sweetapple is an illustrator and co-creator of Rockford’s Rock Opera. She writes about nature, biomimicry and storytelling.

Matthew Sweetapple is a writer and producer. He focuses on adventure-led environmental stories.

Steve Punt is a writer and broadcaster. He is known for his work on BBC radio and television. He is also a co-creator of Rockford’s Rock Opera.

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Rockford’s Rock Opera adventures are written by professional writers, illustrated by artists, and recorded by real musicians, actors and producers. Crafted by humans, the hard way 🎶😊💚