The pair of Stephens Island wrens was a unique species found exclusively on a small island in New Zealand’s Cook Strait. Their isolation made them particularly vulnerable to threats, and unfortunately, they were all killed by a cat owned by a lighthouse keeper. This incident highlights the fragility of certain ecosystems and the impact that introduced species can have on native wildlife.

In Bill Bryson's book "A Short History of Nearly Everything," this story is used to illustrate the unintended consequences of human actions on the environment. The extinction of the Stephens Island wren serves as a poignant reminder of how easily species can be lost due to negligence and the importance of conservation efforts in protecting endangered species.