Tom Cooke
Have you ever imagined walking alongside a Woolly Mammoth or witnessing the flight of a Moa? It might seem like science fiction, but with the advancements in genetic technology, the line between extinction and revival is blurring. De-extinction is a field that seeks to answer whether we can bring back lost creatures through biotechnology. In this regard, let’s consider 35 extinct creatures that would benefit from de-extinction.
Tasmanian Tiger
The Tasmanian Tiger, native to Tasmania and mainland Australia, was the largest known carnivorous marsupial of the 20th century. It was a nocturnal hunter that preyed on small mammals and birds and was considered a pest by European settlers. However, recreating the specific ecosystem they once thrived in would be challenging.
Woolly Mammoth
Woolly mammoths were herbivorous mammals that lived in the Pleistocene and Holocene epochs. They became extinct around 10,000 years ago. While preserved DNA and the existence of close relatives like Asian elephants provide a foundation, ethical concerns arise regarding the ecological impact of reintroducing the massive creatures.
Passenger Pigeon
This bird is also known as the wild pigeon, and the passenger pigeon is blue-grey with shades of red-orange and brown. Its population was estimated to be above 4 billion in the early and mid-1800s. Once abundant, their rapid decline makes finding viable genetic material difficult.
Dodo Bird
The dodo, a bird incapable of flight, was native to the island of Mauritius, found off the coast of Madagascar. It was considered complete extinction. However, scientists are attempting to revive the species by editing the DNA of the Nicobar pigeon, its closest living relative.
Moa
They were known for their distinctive calls, which sounded like a loud, booming “boom.” This New Zealand’s giant flightless bird has well-preserved DNA. Scientists at Harvard University have gathered the first almost complete genome of the little bush moa, bringing the field of extinct genomes closer to the goal of “de-extinction.”
Aurochs
The Aurochs, a wild ancestor of modern cattle, have been extinct since 1627. However, scientists are attempting to bring back 1 million hectares of European lands, and one of the framework of this plan is the reintroduction of the Aurochs. Scientists are back-breeding specimens of the animal from modern cattle.
Great Auk
The Great Auk, a flightless marine bird once abundant across the North Atlantic, is now extinct. However, an American biomolecular organization called Revive & Restore is working to resurrect the species to the Farne Islands, using genetic information extracted from fossils and preserved organs.
Quagga
It was a zebra subspecies that was native to South Africa. The Quagga had a unique coat pattern with zebra-like stripes in the front and a more horse-like appearance in the back. The Quagga Project aims to recreate the phenotype of the Quagga by selectively breeding the genetically closest subspecies, Burchell’s zebra.
Pyrenean Ibex
The successful cloning of this wild goat from preserved tissues demonstrates the potential of the technology. However, establishing a viable population requires more genetic assortment to avoid potential health issues associated with a narrow gene pool.
Trilobite
While abundant specimens remain, providing a glimpse into their anatomy, the immense gap in time since their extinction (over 250 million years) makes reviving these ancient arthropods highly improbable. Their complex biology and the vast evolutionary changes that have occurred since their existence pose insurmountable challenges.
Saber-toothed Cat
Also known as Smilodon fatalis, they are an iconic Ice Age species that went extinct around 10,000 years ago. While there are no plans to reintroduce them, scientists have been able to study their fossilized remains, revealing information about their DNA, behavior, diet, and ecology.
Glyptodon
This is an extinct mammal in South America during the Pleistocene era. Scientists have been able to extract DNA from fossils and study the glyptodon’s evolutionary history, which could potentially inform future conservation efforts. Preserved DNA from these armadillo-like creatures offers a potential starting point.
Steller’s Sea Cow
Steller’s sea cow was uncovered in 1741 by Georg Wilhelm Steller and became extinct 27 years later. Revive & Restore has proposed the de-extinction of Steller’s sea cow through cloning or stem cell embryogenesis, which would involve the successful implantation of an embryo into a dugong surrogate mother.
Spinosaurus
The Spinosaurus is an important dinosaur for understanding the diversity of life during the Late Cretaceous period in North Africa. Reconstructing a complete genome and finding a suitable surrogate host for its development seems impossible.
Gastornis
This giant flightless bird’s lack of close relatives and the significant time gap since its extinction (over 50 million years) make its return highly unlikely. It had a menacing appearance due to its massive beak but was likely a herbivore.
A vibrant parrot, once native to North America, went extinct in 1904 due to habitat loss and hunting. Its return could significantly enhance seed dispersal in North American forests, as it played a crucial role in spreading seeds from the fruit it consumed.
Heath Hen
This subspecies of grouse was once abundant in North America but became extinct in 1932 due to overhunting and habitat destruction. De-extinction could greatly benefit grassland ecosystems, due to its contribution in maintaining vegetation diversity and structure.
Caspian Tiger
Once found in Central Asia, this large tiger became extinct in the 1950s due to habitat loss and human-tiger conflicts. Apex predators are integral in regulating prey populations in an ecosystem. There are conservation efforts focused on reintroducing the Amur Tiger, a closely related subspecies, to the Caspian region.
Bluebuck
Hunted by European settlers and habitat destruction led to its extinction by 1800, leaving only a few museum specimens remaining. The Bluebuck, an extinct antelope species, was once found in South Africa’s grasslands and marshes. It had a distinctive bluish-grey coat, scimitar-shaped horns, and a long black tail.
California Grizzly Bear
This animal was a subspecies of the Brown Bear and was once found in California but became extinct in 1924 due to indiscriminate hunting and subsequent loss of habitat. The bear had a humped shoulder and was brown-golden in color. Females weighed about 400 pounds, while males measured up to 1,000 pounds. Efforts at reintroduction have been met with controversy and concern.
Eastern Elk
Similar in appearance to the rocky mountain Elk, the Eastern Elk had a more reddish-brown coat and a smaller body size. The herbivore was declared extinct in 1841 as a result of human greed and habitat destruction. It was native to the eastern United States and southeastern Canada.
Golden Toad
Last seen in 1989 and declared extinct in 2004, this amphibian used to hop ponds in Costa Rica. Habitat destruction and climate change led to its extinction. Its return could have significant implications for amphibian populations in Costa Rica, potentially aiding in nutrient cycling.
Labrador Duck
In the coastal waters of North America, the Labrador Duck once flourished. The sea duck savored a delicacy of tiny crustaceans, mollusks, and aquatic greens. Its forehead proudly wore a snowy badge, making it a vision of elegance. It was driven to extinction in 1878 by indiscriminate hunting and loss of natural environment.
Western Black Rhinoceros
The Western Black Rhinoceros, a magnificent plant-eater, once roamed freely in West Africa. Feasting on grasses, leaves, and fruits, it was a sight to behold, having gray skin and impressive horns. Tragically, it fell victim to poaching and habitat loss, ultimately leading to its demise in 2011.
Toolache Wallaby
With its gray fur and white stripes, it was a cute sight. However, it was hunted and lost its territory, leading to its extinction in 1937. The Toolache Wallaby was a small marsupial that once hopped through Australia’s southeastern region. Its diet consisted of grasses, leaves, and fruits.
Cuban Red Macaw
The Cuban skies used to be the playground of the Red Macaw, an energetic parrot adorned in bright red and blue feathers. The stunning bird fed mainly on fruits, seeds, and nuts. However, it was hunted and lost its habitat, leading to its extinction in 1885. Researchers are now exploring ways to restore the species.
Javan Tiger
A subspecies of tiger, the Javan tiger was a majestic predator that once roamed Indonesia’s Java island. The Javan Tiger preyed on deer, boar, and monkeys. Its beard and orange-black stripes made it a fearsome sight. Its home was destroyed, and it was relentlessly pursued, ultimately leading to its demise in 2003.
Bubal Hartebeest
The Bubal Hartebeest was a magnificent antelope that wandered Africa’s savannas. Its impressive size and reddish-brown coat made it a striking sight. Unfortunately, its large horns and meat made it a prized target for hunters, leading to its extinction in the 1920s.
Cape Lion
Native to South Africa’s grasslands with distinctive dark mane and golden coat made, The Cape Lion was a symbol of royalty. It was a regal subspecies of lion but human-wildlife conflict and hunting led to its demise in the 1860s.
Caribbean Monk Seal
The brown coat and distinctive V-shaped nostrils made Caribbean Monk Seal a treasured sight. It was a gentle marine mammal that swam the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. It was plunged to extinction in 2008, by several factors including perpetual hunting and disease.
Japanese Sea Lion
Japan and Korea’s coastal waters were once home to the Japanese Sea Lion, a playful marine mammal. Its brown coat and long flippers endeared it to many. Sadly, overhunting and habitat destruction led to its demise in the 1970s, erasing its haunting barks from the ocean’s soundscape.
Pinta Island Tortoise
Meet the dark shell and long-necked giant of the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador, known as the Pinta Island Tortoise. They can live up to 100 years or more in the wild. It is one of the rarest animals in the world and was considered extinct until the discovery of a single individual, Lonesome George, in 1972. Unfortunately, Lonesome George passed away in 2012, and the species is now considered extinct.
Caspian Horse
In ancient times, the Caspian Horse galloped the Caspian hills, valued for its strength and agility. Distinct for its slender build and distinctive head shape, it was not your regular punny. Tragically, the species was wiped out in the 19th century due to relentless hunting and the destruction of its natural habitat.
Baijiu (Chinese Sturgeon)
Deep in the Yangtze River, the Baijiu once swam majestically, its greyish-brown body gliding effortlessly through the water. Considered a “national treasure” of China, it was revered for bringing good fortune and prosperity. However, human activities like overfishing, habitat destruction, and pollution drove it to extinction in 2006, silencing it forever.
Cape Warthog
On South Africa’s sun-kissed savannas, the Cape Warthog once trotted proudly, its reddish-brown coat glistening in the golden light. Its distinctive facial “warts” and long tusks made it a prized trophy for hunters, which ultimately led to its demise in the 19th century. Today, its legacy lives on through its relative, the Common Warthog, which strolls the same lands.
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