Steller's sea cow was named after Georg Steller, a German naturalist who found a small group of these animals on Bering Island in 1741. These large marine mammals attracted attention due to their unique characteristics and the limited knowledge humans had about them at the time.
Regrettably, Steller's sea cows faced relentless hunting by humans, leading to their rapid extinction within just thirty years after Steller's discovery. This tragic outcome highlights the impact of human activity on vulnerable species and serves as a reminder of the importance of conservation efforts.