Vorompatra Lore

from

Life Before Man

by Zdenek V. Špinar

(Thames & Hudson, 1995: p.218)

Madagascar, an island off the south-east coast of Africa, has been separated from the mainland for many millions of years. Its fauna is both peculiar and unique. Giant 'elephant' birds, for instance, reached the peak of their development during the Quaternary era period , when they grew to a height of about 3 m (10 ft). They resembled ostriches and their best known representative, Aepyornis maximus (above), lived only in Madagascar. The birds died out in about the 17th century, when the island's virgin forests were destroyed.

This painting is the work of Zdenek Burian, one of the foremost illustrators of prehistoric animals.

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