Gísli Pálsson

In this insightful discussion, Gísli Pálsson, an Icelandic anthropologist and author of "The Last of Its Kind," delves into the poignant story of the great auk, a flightless bird hunted to extinction. Pálsson reveals how British ornithologists sought its specimens in vain, resonating with the broader implications of human-induced extinction. He shares personal motivations behind his work and sheds light on Alfred Newton's pivotal yet overlooked role in extinction studies. Their conversation highlights the urgent connection between past and present ecological crises.