Scientists Want to Bring Some Animals Back from Extinction

[astr0144]

Scientists Want to Bring Some Animals Back from Extinction

On Friday at a National Geographic-sponsored TEDx conference, scientists met in Washington, D.C. to discuss which animals we should bring back from extinction. They also discussed the how, why, and ethics of doing so. They called it "de-extinction."

There are a few guidelines for which ancient species are considered, and sadly, dinosaurs are so long dead they aren't in the picture. Their DNA has long ago degraded, so researchers are fairly sure that Jurassic Park will never happen.

They chose the animals using the following criteria: Are the species desirable — do they hold an important ecological function or are they beloved by humans? Are the species practical choices — do we have access to tissue that could give us good quality DNA samples or germ cells to reproduce the species? And are they able to be reintroduced to the wild — are the habitats in which they live available and do we know why they went extinct in the first place?

This still leaves plenty of other animals on the table. The list of candidates is actually pretty long, considering. The cost of de-extinction varies by species but projects could run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not more. Then there's also the cost of housing the animals once they are created, and re-introducing them into the wild and protecting them from poachers once they are there.

But, if you were the zoo that had that one Woolly mammoth or saber-toothed cat, these costs just might be worth it.

Here are 10 animals they are hoping to one day resurrect.

1. The mythical Aurochs is not a myth at all, actually. It is the ancestor of domestic cattle and lived throughout Europe, Asia, and North Africa. They died off in 1627.
Wikimedia/DFoidl


2. The Dodo is known for being really dumb — but really it was just fearless because it evolved without any natural predators. Humans who arrived on its home island, Mauritius, took advantage of this and killed them all for food.
Public domain


3. The Labrador Duck was always rare but disappeared between 1850 and 1870. Supposedly it didn't taste good, so it wasn't hunted extensively for food, so its extinction isn't fully explained.
Public domain


4.The Ivory-billed Woodpecker lived in "virgin forests" of the southeastern United states, but there hasn't been a confirmed sighting of the bird since the 1940s. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology even offered a $50,000 reward for someone who could lead researchers to a living specimen.
Original photo by Arthur A. Allen, coloured version by Jerry A. Payne


5. Frozen carcasses of the Woolly Mammoth allow scientists access to well-preserved DNA from these prehistoric giant animals, related to elephants. The last isolated population of woolly mammoths lived on Wrangel Island in the Arctic Ocean until 4,000 years ago.
Wikipedia user Dantheman9758


6. The Mastodon is an extinct species related to elephants that lived in North and Central America. They went extinct 12,000 years ago.
Wikipedia user Dantheman9758


7. This extinct species of plains Zebra, the Quagga, once lived in South Africa. The last wild one was shot in 1870 and the last in captivity died in 1883.
Public domain


8. The iconic Saber-toothed cat, Smilodon, is also on the list. It died out about 10,000 years ago due to climate changes at the end of the last Ice Age.
Charles R. Knight


9. The Thylacine, or Tasmanian Tiger, is the only marsupial to make the list. It lived in Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea until the 1960s.
Public domain


10. The Caribbean monk seal was hunted to extinction for use as oil, and they were out-competed for fish (their main food source) by humans. The last individual was seen in 1952.
Public domain

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/scientists-want-to-bring-some-animals-back-from-extinction-211102151.html

[astr0144]

Scientists Want To Bring 24 Animals Back From Extinction

This is another related link that goes into more detail..

One of these links takes you to another  page ( selling something before it redirects) The lower link as far as I understand takes you to the right page..

There was a photo in the yahoos main page of this article that shows an interesting picture of a sabre tooth tiger, buts its not shown on these pages unfortunately..

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/24-animals-for-de-extinction-2013-3?op=1#ixzz2O7kWkbtL

http://www.businessinsider.com/24-animals-for-de-extinction-2013-3?op=1


On Friday at a National Geographic-sponsored TEDx conference, scientists met in Washington, D.C. to discuss which animals we should bring back from extinction. They also discussed the how, why, and ethics of doing so.

They called it "de-extinction."

There are a few guidelines for which ancient species are considered, and sadly, dinosaurs are so long dead they aren't in the picture. Their DNA has long ago degraded, so researchers are fairly sure that Jurassic Park will never happen.

They chose the animals using the following criteria: Are the species desirable — do they hold an important ecological function or are they beloved by humans? Are the species practical choices — do we have access to tissue that could give us good quality DNA samples or germ cells to reproduce the species? And are they able to be reintroduced to the wild — are the habitats in which they live available and do we know why they went extinct in the first place?

But, this still leaves plenty of other animals on the table. The list of candidates is actually pretty long, considering. The cost of de-extinction varies by species but projects could run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not more. Then there's also the cost of housing the animals once they are created, and re-introducing them into the wild and protecting them from poachers once they are there.

But, if you were the zoo that had that one Woolly mammoth or saber-toothed cat, these costs just might be worth it.

Here are the 24 animals they are hoping to one day resurrect.

The Carolina Parakeet was the only parrot species native to the eastern United States. The last wild specimen died in 1904 in Florida. There are multiple reasons for its extinction, but a contributing factor was the demand for its colorful feathers to decorate ladies' hats.
The Carolina Parakeet was the only parrot species native to the eastern United States. The last wild specimen died in 1904 in Florida. There are multiple reasons for its extinction, but a contributing factor was the demand for its colorful feathers to decorate ladies' hats.

Carolina Parakeet

Fritz Geller-Grimm
This beautiful bird is the Cuban Macaw. It lived in Cuba and was the last species of Caribbean macaw to go extinct, due to deforestation from human settlement. The last ones died off before the 1900s.
This beautiful bird is the Cuban Macaw. It lived in Cuba and was the last species of Caribbean macaw to go extinct, due to deforestation from human settlement. The last ones died off before the 1900s.

Cuban Macaw

Robert01 at de.wikipedia
The mythical Aurochs is not a myth at all actually. It is the ancestor of domestic cattle and lived throughout Europe, Asia, and North Africa. They died off in 1627.
The mythical Aurochs is not a myth at all actually. It is the ancestor of domestic cattle and lived throughout Europe, Asia, and North Africa. They died off in 1627.

Aurochs

Wikimedia/DFoidl
The Dodo is known for being really dumb — but really it was just fearless because it evolved without any natural predators. Humans who arrived on its home island, Mauritius, took advantage of this and killed them all for food.
The Dodo is known for being really dumb — but really it was just fearless because it evolved without any natural predators. Humans who arrived on its home island, Mauritius, took advantage of this and killed them all for food.

Dodo

Public domain
This cute little guy is the Dusky Seaside Sparrow, which was found in Southern Florida. It was officially declared extinct in 1990 after humans started spraying the insecticide DDT on its habitat to kill off mosquitoes.
This cute little guy is the Dusky Seaside Sparrow, which was found in Southern Florida. It was officially declared extinct in 1990 after humans started spraying the insecticide DDT on its habitat to kill off mosquitoes.

Dusky Seaside Sparrow

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/ public domain
The Labrador Duck was always rare but disappeared between 1850 and 1870. Supposedly it didn't taste good, so it wasn't hunted extensively for food, so its extinction isn't fully explained.
The Labrador Duck was always rare but disappeared between 1850 and 1870. Supposedly it didn't taste good, so it wasn't hunted extensively for food, so its extinction isn't fully explained.

Labrador Duck

Public domain
The Heath Hen lived in coastal North America up until 1932. They made for delicious dinners, and were likely the foundation of the Pilgrims' first Thanksgiving.
The Heath Hen lived in coastal North America up until 1932. They made for delicious dinners, and were likely the foundation of the Pilgrims' first Thanksgiving.

Heath Hen

James Turvey public domain
The Ivory-billed Woodpecker lived in "virgin forests" of the southeastern United states, but there hasn't been a confirmed sighting of the bird since the 1940s. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology even offered a $50,000 reward for someone who could lead researchers to a living specimen.
The Ivory-billed Woodpecker lived in "virgin forests" of the southeastern United states, but there hasn't been a confirmed sighting of the bird since the 1940s. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology even offered a $50,000 reward for someone who could lead researchers to a living specimen.

Ivory-billed Woodpecker

Original photo by Arthur A. Allen, coloured version by Jerry A. Payne
The Imperial Woodpecker may actually still be alive, but hasn't been seen in more than 50 years. It's presumed extinct because its entire habitat, which was in Mexico, has been destroyed.
The Imperial Woodpecker may actually still be alive, but hasn't been seen in more than 50 years. It's presumed extinct because its entire habitat, which was in Mexico, has been destroyed.

Imperial Woodpecker

Wikimedia commons/Fritz Geller-Grimm
The Great Auk went extinct in the mid-19th century. They lived in the North Atlantic from Northern Spain through Canada. They died off because of a combination of climate changes during the Little Ice Age that brought predatory polar bears into their territories, and human hunting.
The Great Auk went extinct in the mid-19th century. They lived in the North Atlantic from Northern Spain through Canada. They died off because of a combination of climate changes during the Little Ice Age that brought predatory polar bears into their territories, and human hunting.

Great Auk

Public domain
Frozen carcasses of the Woolly Mammoth allow scientists access to well-preserved DNA from these prehistoric giant animals, related to elephants. The last isolated population of woolly mammoths lived on Wrangel Island in the Arctic Ocean until 4,000 years ago.
Frozen carcasses of the Woolly Mammoth allow scientists access to well-preserved DNA from these prehistoric giant animals, related to elephants. The last isolated population of woolly mammoths lived on Wrangel Island in the Arctic Ocean until 4,000 years ago.

Wolly Mammoth

Wikipedia user Dantheman9758
The Mastodon is an extinct species related to elephants that lived in North and Central America. They went extinct 12,000 years ago.
The Mastodon is an extinct species related to elephants that lived in North and Central America. They went extinct 12,000 years ago.

Mastodon

Wikipedia user Dantheman9758
The Moa were a giant flightless bird from New Zealand that reached 12 feet tall and weighed more than 500 pounds. They died out because of over hunting by the Maori by 1400.
The Moa were a giant flightless bird from New Zealand that reached 12 feet tall and weighed more than 500 pounds. They died out because of over hunting by the Maori by 1400.

Moa

Public domain
This giant, flightless Elephant bird was found only on the island of Madagascar and died out by the 17th century. It would have been 10 feet tall and weighed 880 pounds.
This giant, flightless Elephant bird was found only on the island of Madagascar and died out by the 17th century. It would have been 10 feet tall and weighed 880 pounds.

Elephant bird

public domain
Nobody wants more pigeons ... except scientists that is. The Passenger Pigeon died out after living in enormous flocks throughout the 20th century. It was hunted as food for slaves on a massive and mechanized scale until the last one died in 1914.
Nobody wants more pigeons ... except scientists that is. The Passenger Pigeon died out after living in enormous flocks throughout the 20th century. It was hunted as food for slaves on a massive and mechanized scale until the last one died in 1914.

Passenger Pigeon

Keith Schengili-Roberts
The Pyrenean ibex lived in Southern France and the Northern Pyrenees, but died out in January 2000.
The Pyrenean ibex lived in Southern France and the Northern Pyrenees, but died out in January 2000.

Pyrenean ibex

Public domain
This extinct species of plains Zebra, the Quagga, once lived in South Africa. The last wild one was shot in 1870 and the last in captivity died in 1883.
This extinct species of plains Zebra, the Quagga, once lived in South Africa. The last wild one was shot in 1870 and the last in captivity died in 1883.

Quagga

Public domain
The iconic Saber-toothed cat, Smilodon, is also on the list. It died out about 10,000 years ago due to climate changes at the end of the last Ice Age.
The iconic Saber-toothed cat, Smilodon, is also on the list. It died out about 10,000 years ago due to climate changes at the end of the last Ice Age.

Smilodon

Charles R. Knight
This freshwater dolphin is known as the Baiji and lived in the Yangtze River in China. It was nicknamed the "Goddess of the Yangtze," but died off as China industrialized and used the river for fishing, transportation, and hydroelectricity. Expeditions to find the dolphin in 2006 turned up nothing.
This freshwater dolphin is known as the Baiji and lived in the Yangtze River in China. It was nicknamed the "Goddess of the Yangtze," but died off as China industrialized and used the river for fishing, transportation, and hydroelectricity. Expeditions to find the dolphin in 2006 turned up nothing.

Baiji

Wikimedia/Alessio Marrucci
The Thylacine, or Tasmanian Tiger, is the only marsupial to make the list. It lived in Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea until the 1960s.
The Thylacine, or Tasmanian Tiger, is the only marsupial to make the list. It lived in Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea until the 1960s.

Thylacine

Public domain
The Steller's sea cow is related to the manatee and dugong, the two remaining species of sea cow. They were once abundant in the North Pacific, but within 27 years were hunted to extinction.
The Steller's sea cow is related to the manatee and dugong, the two remaining species of sea cow. They were once abundant in the North Pacific, but within 27 years were hunted to extinction.

Steller's sea cow

Public domain
The Caribbean monk seal was hunted to extinction for use as oil, and they were out-competed for fish (their main food source) by humans. The last individual was seen in 1952.
The Caribbean monk seal was hunted to extinction for use as oil, and they were out-competed for fish (their main food source) by humans. The last individual was seen in 1952.

Caribbean monk seal

Public domain
The Huia was a large species of New Zealand wattlebird. It went extinct in the 20th century because of hunting to make specimens for museums and private collectors. The female had a long, curved beak.
The Huia was a large species of New Zealand wattlebird. It went extinct in the 20th century because of hunting to make specimens for museums and private collectors. The female had a long, curved beak.

Huia

Public domain
The Moho are a genus of extinct birds from Hawaii. Most of them died out because of habitat loss and hunting. The Hawaiian Moho seen here died out in 1934.
The Moho are a genus of extinct birds from Hawaii. Most of them died out because of habitat loss and hunting. The Hawaiian Moho seen here died out in 1934.

Moho (genus)

Public domain
Now see animals that went extinct at human hands.
Now see animals that went extinct at human hands.

Reproduced with permission from the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
10 Animals That Were Hunted To Extinction >

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/24-animals-for-de-extinction-2013-3?op=1#ixzz2O7kHmF18

http://www.businessinsider.com/24-animals-for-de-extinction-2013-3?op=1

[zorgon]

Me Too  ME TOO!!!!

[astr0144]

"Z",

If you go to Yahoo.com and look through the Horizontal articles with small pictures...you will see the image to click for the above link..

There is a picture of a sabre tooth tiger..that I wish they had included in their article...I wonder if you can copy that and also add it in this thread !

Cheers

A..

[astr0144]

They suggest that DINOs cannot be brought back because they say their  DNA is too old to revitalize...

But One wonders if they have a Jurassic Park hidden away somewhere that they wont tell the public about..

That Sabre Tooth tiger was on

http://www.yahoo.com/?p=uk

I dont know why it shows up as uk..

Yahoo Uk used to be www.yahoo.co.uk   NOT  yahoo.com /?p=uk

between photos 51 to 55 last time I looked.. ( photo 53)

There is a scroll bar right to left..L to R....

Me Too  ME TOO!!!!

[kdog]

Say if they bring back one of these creatures from the past,what use would it be other than they can.

Oh,sure,it would make a great zoo exhibit and bring in lots of money for some.
But maybe they could use that money to protect others from extinction.

In my world,I want to see them bring back a t-rex or something like that.Just for the pure fact of actually studying that creature.
And to feed some of my in-laws to.

[astr0144]

Hi Kdog,

One way that we may look at it is if they did bring some of these critters back.. that yes they could display and make money from them in a type of Zoo....

But maybe any money made could also go to helping other critters from extinction ! 

It would certainly be very interesting if they brought T.REX or other Dino's back and they did set up a Jurassic park...

In my world,I want to see them bring back a t-rex or something like that.Just for the pure fact of actually studying that creature.

I suspect many a person could agree with that ! and they would eat very well ! 

And to feed some of my in-laws to.

[VillageIdiot]

Any ideas as to why there are so many birds on that list?

[astr0144]

Not really at the moment, but For some of the flightless ones, they may have been easy prey.. A form of Kentucky Chicken for some of the predators...They would certainly get a good portion 

Any ideas as to why there are so many birds on that list?

[VillageIdiot]

I could swear they've already resurrected one of those extinct bovines. I saw a pic of it. I can't remember what it was called though. I'm sure of it.

The Auroch

[astr0144]

Nice  Find Book ! and Welcome by the way !

If this is the case..it is certainly something that seems unexpected.

It suggests that they may well already be involved in bringing some of these critters back already !

One wonders what else that they may have ..

[The Matrix Traveller]

What can't be done today, may be done tomorrow...