The Last Myotragus

    By jaumenrm Ramis

    The Last Myotragus cover image

    02 May, 2024

    a goat standing on a lush green hillside next to a tree and a hill covered in trees and grass, photorealism, a detailed matte painting, Chris LaBrooy, highly detailed digital painting

    Long ago, Mallorca was a sanctuary for a unique creature, the Myotragus balearicus. It was a peaceful herbivore, living in harmony with nature, grazing on the lush foliage.

    a painting of a group of people riding horses on a path through a valley with mountains in the background, fantasy art, a detailed matte painting, Christophe Vacher, cinematic matte painting

    This tranquility was disrupted when the first humans arrived on the island. The Myotragus, having no natural predators, was unprepared for the onslaught that followed.

    a man with a rifle and a rifle standing next to a herd of sheep on a hill side with mountains in the background, primitivism, a detailed matte painting, Colin Middleton, cinematic photography

    Over time, the once-thriving population of Myotragus was decimated. The humans, ignorant of the balance of nature, hunted without restraint. Within a few centuries, the Myotragus was no more.

    a goat standing on a dirt road in the mountains with a village in the background and a cloudy sky, art photography, a character portrait, Arie Smit, award - winning photography

    The last Myotragus may have roamed the hills alone, unaware of its impending fate. Its extinction marked a tragic chapter in the history of Mallorca.

    a woman sitting at a table with a book and pen in her hand and a book on the table, arts and crafts movement, a flemish Baroque, Celia Fiennes, promotional image

    Fast forward to the 20th century, a determined paleontologist named Dorothea Bate was poring over ancient texts in a library, when she stumbled upon references to a unique creature.

    a woman sitting at a table in a library with a book open and a pen in her hand and a stained glass window behind her, pre-raphaelitism, a detailed matte painting, Constance Gordon-Cumming, promotional image

    Dorothea was intrigued by the Myotragus and its tragic history. She was determined to find evidence of its existence, to give it a place in the annals of natural history.

    a woman standing on a mountain with her arms crossed and looking at the camera with mountains in the background, environmental art, a character portrait, Eva Gonzalès, promotional image

    Dorothea embarked on an expedition to Mallorca, scouring the rocky terrain for any sign of the Myotragus. It was a daunting task, but she was not one to be deterred.

    a man in a hat and coat walking up a trail in the mountains with rocks and bushes on either side, land art, a matte painting, Ada Hill Walker, promotional image

    After months of arduous search, Dorothea's perseverance paid off. She discovered the fossilized remains of a Myotragus, a tangible proof of its existence.

    a group of people standing around a museum looking at a dinosaur skeleton in a museum exhibit with a crowd of people looking at it, arbeitsrat für kunst, a digital rendering, Cornelia Parker, contemporary art

    News of Dorothea's discovery spread throughout Mallorca. The locals, intrigued by their island's ancient history, flocked to see the Myotragus fossil on display.

    a group of people standing around a statue of a man in a hat and a building with a stone archway, romanesque, a marble sculpture, Bernard Meninsky, art noveau

    Dorothea's discovery brought the Myotragus back from oblivion, giving it a well-deserved place in history. The locals were proud of their unique heritage, the tale of the Myotragus becoming a symbol of Mallorca.

    a woman is standing in front of a display of dinosaurs and other things in a museum setting with people looking at them, academic art, a tilt shift photo, Anita Malfatti, award-winning photograph

    Dorothea returned home, content with her achievement. She had not only discovered a lost species but also reminded humanity of its impact on nature.

    a group of people looking at a display of clay heads and heads of people in a museum setting with a stone wall, arte povera, egyptian art, Damien Hirst, grotesque

    The tale of the Myotragus still echoes in the hills of Mallorca, a poignant reminder of nature's delicate balance. The Myotragus is now a part of Mallorca's legacy, its story passed down through generations.

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