This changed with the introduction of feral animals, and with the influence of man. The dodo was first discovered in 1581, by visitors to the island of Mauritius. The exact date is uncertain, but it is generally believed that the dodo was extinct around 1681. When man introduced new species, the dodo was easy prey. However, the direct influence of man through hunting also played a significant role - eventually leading to the extinction of the species.
People use the word dodo as an insult.
The dodo, being an animal, didn't have the same levels of intelligence as people, but nor did it suffer from a lack of smarts. This fallacy may stem from the fact that early visitors to the island were surprised to find the dodo to be a friendly bird - despite the fact that they were slaughtered in large numbers. The dodo is an extinct bird, and is often remembered for its death. Finding information about the dodo can be difficult. The local library should be the first place to look, in an encyclopedia.