'Hidden' dodo remains on display

The skeleton's feet were carved from wood

A dodo skeleton which remained hidden away from the public for about 60 years has gone on display in Liverpool.

The composite remains of the extinct bird, which originates from Mauritius, are on show at the World Museum.

The skeleton was kept in storage after the city was heavily bombed during World War II and has been in the museum's collection since 1866.

A museum spokesman said it was one of just a handful of examples of dodos in the UK.

Dodos were large, flightless birds whose populations were wiped out more than 300 years ago.

Carved feet

Stephen Guy, of the World Museum Liverpool, said: "This is one of the only specimens in the country.

"There is one in the National History Museum, and in one or two other places."

The skeleton is a composite of remains found on the island in the Indian Ocean.

Although it is almost complete, museum staff only recently realised that its foot bones were carved from wood.

Dodos were hunted to extinction about 300 years ago

"The wood carvings were done by Victorian craftsmen. They are so brilliantly done that they were only recently discovered," added Mr Guy.

The fake feet are still part of the display, to show how the dodo remains would have looked in Victorian times.

Some ribs and some parts of the skull are also missing.

The skeleton is on display for about a month as part of the museum's Hidden Treasures series of displays.

The dodo (Raphus cucullatus) was bigger than a turkey, weighing about 50lb (23kg), and said to be uniquely adapted to its island habitat.

It was first seen by Portuguese sailors in about 1507 but numbers were falling sharply by the beginning of the 17th Century.