Dodo Destiny examines the sad tale of the dodo and the fascinating history of Mauritius that shapes a multicultural society today.

The dodo is a universal symbol of extinction, yet little is known about the true nature of this vanished bird. Most people don’t know that the dodo lived only on Mauritius, a beautiful tropical island nation east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. Although popular with Asian, African, and European visitors, Mauritius remains relatively unknown to North Americans.

Left undisturbed by humans, Mauritius, and the dodo thrived until Europeans arrived in 1598. Less than 100 years later, the dodo and other island species disappeared in the wake of man. The dodo will never come back, yet Mauritius and nearby islands are forging a new path in co-existence with humans and the environment in a remarkably diverse multicultural society.

The dodo was just one of many unusual extinct species endemic to Mauritius and nearby islands in the Mascarene Archipelago. Paradoxically, the site of history’s most famous extinction is today home to some of the world’s most successful conservation programs created to preserve remaining threatened species.

Tom Parker's fascination with Mauritius began by chance during a layover on a global trek. He returned multiple times to extensively explore Mauritius and Rodrigues Island as well as the neighboring French island of La Réunion, discovering dramatic tales about the spice trade, marooned rebels, waves of immigrants from Europe and Asia, and remarkable natural history. Long familiar to European visitors, these islands remain relatively unknown to most North Americans.

Illustrated with historic maps, antique engravings, and photographs.
Copyright 2012 Raconteurs Press LLC

ISBN 978-0-9719258-3-0 (paper)
ISBN 978-0-9719258-4-7 (Kindle)
ISBN 978-0-9719258-6-1 (ePub)