lions, cheetahs and elephants to roam USA

[Jimbo 175]

Big game 'could roam US plains'

 

 

If a group of US researchers have their way, lions, cheetahs, elephants and camels could soon roam parts of North America, Nature magazine reports.

 

The plan, which is called Pleistocene re-wilding, is intended to be a proactive approach to conservation.

 

The initiative would help endangered African animals while creating jobs, the Cornell University scientists say.

 

Evidence also suggests, they claim, that "megafauna" can help maintain ecosystems and boost biodiversity.

 

"If we only have 10 minutes to present this idea, people think we're nuts," said Harry Greene, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at Cornell University, US.

 

"But if people hear the one-hour version, they realise they haven't thought about this as much as we have. Right now we are investing all our megafauna hopes on one continent - Africa."

 

Wild America

 

During the Pleistocene era - between 1.8 million to about 10,000 years ago - North America was home to a myriad of mega fauna.

 

Once, American cheetah (Acinonyx trumani) prowled the plains hunting pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) - an antelope-like animal found throughout the deserts of the American Southwest - and Camelops, an extinct camelid, browsed on arid land.

 

But man's arrival on the continent - about 13,000 ago, according to one prevalent theory - pushed many of these impressive creatures to extinction.

 

Their disappearance left glaring gaps in the complex web of interactions, upon which a healthy ecosystem depends. The pronghorn, for example, has lost its natural predator and only its startling speed - of up to about 60mph - hints at its now forgotten foe.

 

By introducing living counterparts to the extinct animals, the researchers say, these voids could be filled. So, by introducing free-ranging African cheetahs to the Southwest, strong interactions with pronghorns could be restored, while providing cheetahs with a new habitat.

 

Public acceptance

 

Other living species that could "stand in" for Pleistocene-era animals in North America include feral horses (Equus caballus), wild asses (E. asinus), Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus), Asian (Elephas maximus) and African (Loxodonta africana) elephants and lions (Panthera leo).

 

"Obviously, gaining public acceptance is going to be a huge issue, especially when you talk about reintroducing predators," said lead author Josh Donlan, of Cornell University. "There are going to have to be some major attitude shifts. That includes realising predation is a natural role, and that people are going to have to take precautions."

 

However Americans might do more than put up with their new compatriots - they might actually welcome them.

 

According to Dr Donlan and his colleagues, the re-wilding plan would offer ecotourism and land-management jobs to help the struggling economies of the Great Plains and Southwest.

 

Dr Donlan said that large tracts of private land are probably the most promising place to start, with each step carefully guided by the fossil record and the involvement of experts and research.

 

"We are not advocating backing up a van and letting elephants and cheetah out into the landscape," he said. "All of this would be science driven."

 

[Rob W 0]

"predation is a natural role"

 

wasn't that what your defence said in the Great Tyneside Boy Scout Trial??????

[catmag 337]

Lions and Tigers and Bears? Oh my!!!

 

[adios 717]

I'd steer well clear of Washington state if I were an elephant...

[Mags 1]

Ah sure....... introduce creatures not endemic to the habitat... fucking wonderful idea. Wot's that aussies? Fancy any more rabbits? And here we have these rabid conservationists who would wet nurse a moose to help save and support the survival of the species. What would a lion think seeing a moose or some endangered native wildlife species? That's riiiiiiiiight...... LUNCH!.

 

 

 

 

 

Some people, do gooders with no fucking common sense.

[Guest alex]

Australia has a hell of a lot of introduced species many of which have caused all sorts of problems: rabbits (as mentioned), cane toads, cats (which have led to the extinction of many small marsupials), wild boar and perhaps most bizarrely camels. Even the dingo isn't really native being introduced via Indonesians who traded with the Aboriginals. Basically, introducing non-native always seems to cause lots of problems to the local environment.

[Mr Misery 1]

Basically, introducing non-native always seems to cause lots of problems to the local environment.

14487[/snapback]

 

Especially if they are Homo Sapiens (W. Capitalist sub-species)

[Guest alex]

Basically, introducing non-native always seems to cause lots of problems to the local environment.

14487[/snapback]

 

Especially if they are Homo Sapiens (W. Capitalist sub-species)

14492[/snapback]

Aye, certainly in the case of Australia.

[Rob W 0]

Mind it would be a bit easier to spot the Elephants compared to the rabbits

[Mr Misery 1]

Don't fancy the elephants chances with those Okie gun crowd types

[Guest alex]

Mind it would be a bit easier to spot the Elephants compared to the rabbits

14499[/snapback]

Aye but I know whose turd I'd rather stand in.

[Rob W 0]

You need a bloody good optician my lad if you can't see an elephant turd before you put your foot down..........

[Guest alex]

You need a bloody good optician my lad if you can't see an elephant turd before you put your foot down..........

14534[/snapback]

Could be night time though Rob, you've got to try and think outside the box sometimes m'lad

[Rob W 0]

You need a bloody good optician my lad if you can't see an elephant turd before you put your foot down..........

14534[/snapback]

Could be night time though Rob, you've got to try and think outside the box sometimes m'lad

14538[/snapback]

 

 

Use yer nose man.............................

 

 

Ernie Wise " A police report has just come in - an elephant was seen doing a ton on the M1..."

 

Eric Morecambe " Drivers are advised to treat it as a roundabout..."

 

TAXI!!!

[Guest alex]

You need a bloody good optician my lad if you can't see an elephant turd before you put your foot down..........

14534[/snapback]

Could be night time though Rob, you've got to try and think outside the box sometimes m'lad

14538[/snapback]

 

 

Use yer nose man.............................

 

 

Ernie Wise " A police report has just come in - an elephant was seen doing a ton on the M1..."

 

Eric Morecambe " Drivers are advised to treat it as a roundabout..."

 

TAXI!!!

14592[/snapback]