Hacker News Reader

We should not be interfering with key-stone species.

Humans have been interfering with key-stone species for millenia. Lions used to be relatively common throughout the Middle East, but it seems during the Neo-Assyrian Empire were hunted to extinction. I believe the Romans drove a lot of animal species in North Africa to extension because of the circuses.

We need a much more nuanced analysis than just don't interfere with a key-stone species.

The effect of removing keystone species has been extensively studied, particularly with respect to wolves.

Just google "keystone species" and the first result features a case study on grey wolf removal and restoration in Yellowstone: https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/keystone-s...

Wolf impact on livestock is minimal, coverage is overblown, and in most states is investigated and compensated for by state authorities.

This is a terrible political move.

Don't forget the native north american horses, or mammoths or other megafauna that the native americans hunted to extinction.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com