Big Five Explorer

THE PHRASE “dead as a dodo” is proverbial for anything lifeless or extinct.

But now visitors to World Museum Liverpool can get an idea of what this near-mythical creature looked like after a rare dodo skeleton was put on display.

The skeleton is made up of large numbers of bones found in a swamp on the island of Mauritius, in the Indian Ocean.

While the dodo has been extinct for more than 300 years, the mounted skeleton itself is believed to have been kept under wraps in the museum’s collection for at least 40 years.

It is now on display for a month as part of the Hidden Treasures series, featuring items rarely seen by the public.

Dr Clem Fisher, the museum’s curator of vertebrate zoology, said: “This is the only mounted skeleton of a dodo anywhere in the world. All others are reconstructions, using goose feathers.

“The skeleton is quite complete although we have recently discovered that the foot bones have been skilfully carved from wood.”

The large, flightless pigeons were about 3ft tall and were decimated by the arrival of sailors in Mauritius, who killed it for food.

The skeleton was put together from the bones of different dodos found in a swamp on the island.

The only part missing is the top of the bird’s skull, or cranium. It was donated to the curator of the then Liverpool Museum in 1866, and has been in the collection ever since.

Dr Fisher said: “It’s a good skeleton, with an important story. The message is the extinction of flightless species is incredibly easy. They are on an island, and as soon as man comes along with his pigs, guns, and rats, they’re gone.

“Everyone knows the dodo from the phrase ‘dead as a dodo’, but very few will have seen an actual skeleton of one.”

Dodos would have weighed around 50 pounds, and had grey plumage, a nine-inch beak with a hooked point, tiny wings and a tuft of curly rear feathers.

According to Dr Fisher, we may not have seen the last of the dodo after all.

“Although the last reliable sighting of a living dodo was in the late 17th century, it may one day be possible to reconstruct the species with the ancient DNA from one of these bones.”

Get rid of the stress! Revive your senses with exquisite beauty and body care products, on a unique journey of serenity and harmony.

When in Mauritius, take a pause for your own well-being to visit one of our several spas, the new havens of peace where time comes to a standstill. Apart from the seemingly endless miles of beaches, the natural hospitality of the Mauritian people and the gastronomic delights of 3 continents, Mauritius offers world-class services to set you off on another journey of senses!

The spas are now regarded as a must, on the tourist itinerary. Sponsored by international leading names such as Clarins, Givenchy, Guerlain , La Prairie, and Shisheido, the competitive nature of the market has resulted in an amazing range of pampering treatments and state-of-the-art health and beauty centres.

The island’s mix of cultures also inspires an eclectic mix of therapies, with a choice of Asian Ayurvedic massages, ocean-inspired treatments as well as age-old African and Creole remedies made from local herbs and flowers.

Some pleasant wellness centres can also be experienced outside hotels. For independent visitors, there are a number of local and health beauty centres.

So step into one of these havens and let expert hands pamper you

You can book your holiday to Mauritius with Explorer Travel by calling 0208 816 8789 or by visiting their website (http://www.big5.explorertravel.co.uk/Mauritius.htm)