Paleolithic Humans Drove Dwarf Hippos and Elephants to Extinction on Cyprus

New research reveals that early human settlers on Cyprus hunted native dwarf megafauna to extinction within 1,000 years.

Flinders University-led study used mathematical models to show that 3,000-7,000 hunter-gatherers were likely responsible for the extinction of dwarf hippos and elephants on Cyprus.
The research refutes previous arguments that a small human population could not have caused such rapid extinctions.
Dwarf hippos (Phanourios minor) and dwarf elephants (Palaeoloxodon cypriotes) disappeared soon after humans arrived on the island around 14,000 years ago.
The study combined data from palaeontology, archaeology, and other disciplines to reconstruct human energy demand, diet, and hunting efficiency.
Findings highlight the significant impact small human populations can have on native ecosystems, even with low technological capabilities.