A is for Atitlan Grebe
Atitlán Grebe
Podilymbus gigas
Where it lived: wetlands (Lake Atitlán) in Guatemala
Last seen in: 1986
Declared extinct by IUCN in: 1994
Extinction causes:
predation by large-mouth bass introduced to the lake in 1960
habitat destruction from reed cutting
increased tourism and boat traffic
political unrest, resulting in reduced monitoring and protection
falling lake levels due to a 1976 earthquake
drowning in fishing nets