Recent research indicates that a small population of around 3,000 early humans may have played a significant role in the extinction of dwarf hippos and elephants on Cyprus approximately 14,000 years ago.

Using mathematical models that integrated palaeontological and archaeological data, researchers concluded that human hunting practices were the primary cause of extinction for these species.

The study suggests that paleolithic hunter-gatherers could have driven these unique species to extinction in less than 1,000 years.

Cyprus was chosen as an ideal case study due to its small size, limited megafauna diversity, and the timing of human settlement, allowing for precise modeling of extinction dynamics.

Lead author Professor Corey Bradshaw from Flinders University noted that these mammals were likely targeted for their meat by the island's first inhabitants, making them easy prey.

This research challenges previous theories that suggested small human populations could not have caused such rapid extinctions, highlighting the significant impact of even limited technology on native ecosystems.

Funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the Republic of Cyprus, the study contributes to ongoing discussions about human migration and its historical impact on local ecosystems.

Around 14,000 years ago, early humans from the eastern Mediterranean began to explore new lands due to dwindling resources, leading to their arrival on Cyprus.

During the Late Pleistocene, Cyprus was home to two notable species of megafauna: the dwarf elephant, weighing approximately 500 kg, and the dwarf hippo, weighing around 130 kg.

The findings align with established chronological sequences of megafauna extinctions based on paleontological data, reinforcing the connection between human arrival and species decline.

The research findings, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, provide valuable insights into the effects of early human populations on ecosystems and extinction events.

Dr. Theodora Moutsiou from the University of Cyprus emphasized that the island's insular environment allows for a clearer examination of human impact on megafauna extinctions.