 The decline of this bird was hastened by both natives and Europeans by the introduction of the musket which allowed hunter and collectors to shoot birds down from far away places, from great heights, and in great numbers.As late as 1898, hunters were still able to kill over a thousand of the birds, but after that year the ōō population declined rapidly.The birds became too rare to be shot in any great quantities, but continued to be found for nearly 30 years.