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user-inactivated  ·  2452 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Why government agencies should move from DC to the Midwest

    Starting with giant tortoises and wild horses, then moving toward lions and elephants, the authors provide a number of case studies for "Pleistocene Rewilding" and argue such introductions would contribute biological, economic, and cultural benefits to North America. The authors acknowledge that there are substantial risks and challenges; the risks of inaction may be even greater, however, including the continued global loss of megafauna.

Wow. When I was talking about restoring the plains, I meant things like buffalo and wolves and such. I've never even heard of such an argument for exotic animals (though I'm pretty sure horses are non-natives brought over by the Europeans). I don't know how I feel about that, because in all fairness, with the exception of maybe Mastadons/Mammoths, they all probably died off of natural causes in North America. Though, I am reminded now about the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, so it's not like it couldn't be done . . .

Edit: And bears. America could always use some more bears.