From Pleistocene to trophic rewilding: A wolf in sheep’s clothing

Nearly 10 y ago, we (1) critiqued the idea of Pleistocene rewilding (2), a misguided attempt to resurrect bygone ecosystems. Much has happened to the Earth’s biodiversity over the decade since the term “Pleistocene rewilding” was coined, most of it bad. More than half a billion people have been added to the world’s population, and ecosystems continue to be degraded at an alarming rate. A sixth mass extinction is underway, and poaching of megafauna has increased across sub-Saharan Africa. Unfortunately, one thing that has not happened is any serious attempt to scientifically study Pleistocene rewilding. Despite a number of publicized Pleistocene rewilding projects (Oostvaardersplassen in The Netherlands and Pleistocene Park in Siberia), we have yet to see any quantitative data concerning the impacts of megafauna reintroductions.