How on Earth did I miss the Economist’s coverage of Josh Donlan’s proposal to introduce African megafauna to the American Great Plains? (See yesterday’s post.)

As expected, the Economist’s coverage is much more comprehensive, and as such is more persuasive (in that the substantive arguments behind both views are better represented). The author covers specific roles of extinct animals that introduced African animals are expected to fill, the proposed order of introducing species in order to make sure that the experiment goes as planned, and the trepidations many ecologists have about introducing non-native species in an attempt to ‘fix’ environmental problems.

Another detail that the CNN piece I quoted yesterday left out – the introductions would be on tracts of land referred to as reserves, which to me indicates that they might be enclosed. On the one hand, enclosing the experimental area (incredibly high costs aside) allays my concern about the potential economic damage that might be caused by a few overzealous big cats; on the other hand, it could exacerbate potential problems with an ecological experiment becoming a tourist trap or even a local big game hunting ground.

If I suddenly sound more amenable to the project, don’t be fooled. It’s a terrible idea, but I thought that I’d make some attempt to echo the more balanced perspective of the Economist on the issue, and let readers make up their own minds.