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From Paradise to Disaster: The Kaibab Forest and the Unexpected Role of Wolves
At the beginning of the 20th century, the Kaibab Forest in northern Arizona, USA, was still lush with pines and firs and full of vitality. There are about 4,000 deer in the forest, and the ferocious and cruel wolves are the deer’s biggest enemies. U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt wanted to effectively protect the deer in the Kaibabo Forest and breed more. He declared the Kaibab Forest a national hunting preserve and decided that the government would hire hunters to go there and eliminate wolves. The sound of gunfire echoed through the forest. Under the cold muzzle of the hunter, the wolf screamed one after another and died.…
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Tree Snails Released Back to Polynesia After 30 Years: Can They Restore Ecological Balance?
“In the month of April in the year 2023, a grand total of 5,000 Polynesian tree snails (hereinafter referred to as tree snails) embarked on a momentous journey spanning an astounding distance of 15,000 kilometers by means of air travel. Their final destination was none other than the majestic islands of Moorea and Tahiti, nestled within the enchanting realm of French Polynesia. These resplendent snails, on the brink of extinction upon the Polynesian isles, have been the subject of unwavering scientific endeavors spanning three decades, all aimed at restoring their vibrant existence. Tree snails, indigenous denizens of the Polynesian islands, possess a diminutive stature, measuring less than 2.5 centimeters in…
