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.

“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.”

During the Pleistocene era – between 1.8 million to about 10,000 years ago – North America was home to a myriad of mega fauna. But man’s arrival on the continent – about 13,000 years ago, according to one prevalent theory – pushed many of these impressive creatures to extinction.

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.

I think this would be a wonderful idea — BUT. The reactionary mentality dominating extractive and exploitive commerce doesn’t give a damn about ecology, balance or economic progress for local folks. Anyone who is a trout fisherman or a hunter who respects the role of predators has already experienced the backlash.

If it ain’t strictly for putting on the table for redneck gluttony, it stands little or no chance in today’s America…in my opinion.
Thanks, Joshua