There are millions of animals around the world that have gone extinct within the past couple of decades. Scientists, as of late, are quite keen on returning some of these once walking creatures to their respective homes aboard this planet we call Earth. Some of them may prove a tad difficult to revive, but science may find a way. It will probably cost hundreds of millions of dollars in order to bring a single specimen back from extinction, however. Tax payers can expect to pay out the bum. Here are 7 extinct animals scientists want to bring back to life.
7. Gastric-brooding Frog
7. Gastric-brooding Frog
The Gastric-brooding Frog is a ground-dwelling creature native to Queensland, Australia. They went extinct in the mid-1980s. Scientists in New South Wales are working to resurrect the species with the “Lazarus Project.”
6. Huia
6. Huia
The Huia, another species of extinct bird, this one from New Zealand. Due to rampant over-hunting for their skins in the 20th century, the Huia went extinct. Massive deforestation surely didn’t help either.
5. Caribbean Monk Seal
5. Caribbean Monk Seal
The Caribbean Monk Seal was last seen in 1952, but was brought to extinction thanks to excessive hunting for their oil and over-fishing of their main sources of food. Local fishermen in Haiti and Jamaica claim they exist, but no proof has come to light.
4. Steller’s Sea Cow
4. Steller’s Sea Cow
The Steller’s Sea Cow, a cross between the dugong and manatee, is a type of sea cow that was once abundant in the North Pacific. Within 27 years of its discovery, however, Europeans hunted them to extinction.
3. Dodo
3. Dodo
The Dodo, a flightless bird with a reputation for being quite dumb, was fearless thanks to its evolution in an environment without any predators. Upon the arrival of human-kind, however, the bird was wiped out.
2. Aurochs
2. Aurochs
Aurochs were the ancestor of the domestic cattle, and often lived in parts of North Africa, Asia, and Europe. They were some of the largest herbivores to survive in the area, but went extinct, unfortunately.Cuban Macaw
1. Cuban Macaw
1. Cuban Macaw
The Cuban Macaw was a species native to the island of Cuba. The last one went extinct well before the 1900’s thanks to deforestation. Science could bring this beautiful species of tropical bird back, though!