A huge marine mammal known as Steller’s sea cow once lived in the waters around Bering Island off the coast of Siberia. It was described in 1741 by Georg W. Steller, a naturalist who was among the first Europeans to see one. In 1768 the animal became exti

In these set of material, the reading mentions some theories for the extinction of Steller’s sea cow which is a huge marine mammal lived in the water around Bering island of the coast of Siberia. And the author provides three reasons of support. However, the professor opposes the author’s claim, he refutes each of the author’s reasons.

First, the passage asserts that sea cow population would have over-hunted by groups of native Siberian people. Because it was a massive animals and a good source of food in such a harsh environment. On the other hand, the professor refutes this theory; he says that Steller’s sea cow is a massive mammal. it reaches 9 M in height, and exceeds 10 tons in weight. Therefore just two of them can feed a group of people in a small population like the local Siberian for months. So this theory is unlikely to be correct.

Second, the author describes the second theory. Which avers that the extinction was because of an ecological disturbance that cause a decline in the main source of Steller’s sea cow which called kelp. However, the professor opposes this idea by saying if a severe ecosystem disturbances really had happened many other populations like whales should be affected. And such thing had never been recorded.so kelp level was just fine, and no food shortage was there.and according to the professor, this theory is wrong too.

Third, the last theory claims that Steller’s sea cow extinction was linked to the armed European fur traders. Who came to the island after 1741. But the professor refutes this theory by saying that the armed European traders had arrived to that island long time after Steller’s sea cow population had declined. And justifying sea cow’s extinction to those hunters’ practices is not convincing. therefore, another cause has to be the responsible reason for Steller's sea cow's extinction.