There is a lot of speculation about whether or not scientists are trying to bring back the megalodon.
This prehistoric shark was a giant shark that ever lived, and it went extinct more than 3.6 million years ago.
But is it true? Let’s take a closer look at the evidence. We’ll also be looking at other extinct animals that scientists want to bring back from extinction. Before that, let’s first answer the question,
Are Scientists Trying To Bring Back The Megalodon?
No. There is no evidence that scientists are currently trying to bring back the megalodon. In fact, it’s doubtful that they ever will.
This is because the megalodon went extinct millions of years ago. And there is no way to bring it back since there’s no viable DNA to clone them.
In addition, even if scientists could bring back the megalodon, they probably wouldn’t want to. Not with our whales and other types of fish being on the verge of extinction.
The megalodon was a fierce predator and would wipe out most of the living sea creatures.
What Is The Megalodon?
The megalodon was an extinct colossus species of shark ever to live. It was a Carcharocles megalodon, and it lived during the Miocene and Pliocene epochs.
Megalodon means “big tooth” in Greek, and this shark earned its name because its teeth were up to 7.5 inches long.
It is estimated that this massive creature could grow up to 60 feet in length and weigh up to 50 tons. The megalodon is considered one of the largest and most powerful predators in the ocean.
What Animals Are Scientists Trying To Bring Back?
Scientists are currently working on bringing back several extinct animals, including the;
Woolly Mammoth
The most notable example is the Woolly Mammoth. Scientists have been able to extract DNA from frozen Mammoth specimens. And they are currently working on ways to bring the animal back to life.
Woolly mammoths (Mammuthus primigenius) are an extinct species of Proboscidea. They roamed the earth for over 100,000 years before going extinct around 10,000 years ago.
The woolly mammoth was the largest land animal that ever lived. They were up to 4 meters (13 ft) tall at the shoulder and weighed up to 6 tonnes (6.6 short tons).
There are many possible ways to bring mammoths back from extinction. One way is through cloning. The other method would include artificial inseminating with an elephant’s sperm.
There are many reasons why the woolly mammoth is a prime candidate for de-extinction. For one, the woolly mammoth has been well-studied. Scientists know a great deal about the genetics and behavior of mammoths.
Additionally, the mammoth’s habitat is being recreated in labs, so scientists have a place to put them once they are resurrected.
Passenger Pigeon
The passenger pigeon was once the most abundant bird in North America, with a population of around 3 billion.
However, its numbers dwindled rapidly due to overhunting and habitat loss, and the last passenger pigeon, Martha, died in 1914.
Over a hundred years later, there is renewed interest in bringing the passenger pigeon back from extinction.
Some scientists are currently working on this project, and there are several possible methods for de-extinction.
The biggest challenge is finding viable eggs or sperm cells from the few remaining specimens of the passenger pigeon.
Pyrenean Ibex
The Pyrenean ibex, or bucardo, is a species of wild goat that once inhabited the mountains of the Iberian Peninsula. It is believed to have become extinct in 2000.
In 2003, a team of Spanish scientists announced their intention to clone the bucardo from frozen tissue samples.
In July the same year, a cloned Pyrenean ibex was born; however, it perished shortly after due to physical lung problems. Although scientists remain hopeful, this was the first and only cloned extinct animal.
Aurochs
The aurochs (Bos primigenius) is a defunct type of wild cattle that once inhabited Europe and North Africa.
The last known aurochs died in 1627 in Poland. However, there is a current effort to bring this species back from extinction through selective breeding.
There are a few current candidates for de-extinction, but the aurochs is a fascinating case because of its ties to European culture and history.
If the aurochs were brought back to life, they could play an essential role in conservation and ecosystem restoration. They would also be a valuable asset to European tourism.
Quagga
The quagga was a subspecies of the zebra that went extinct in the late 1800s. However, there is evidence that the quagga may have been resurrected through selective breeding from plains zebras.
The project is still in its early stages, but if it is successful, it could provide a model for bringing back other extinct species.
Thylacine
The Thylacine was a carnivorous marsupial that once roamed Australia and New Guinea. The last known specimen died in a zoo in Tasmania in 1936 due to neglect.
Maclear’s Rat
One species currently being considered for de-extinction is the Maclear’s rat. This rat was once common on Christmas Island but went extinct in the early 1900s due to the introduction of Black rats.
A recent study has shown enough genetic variation among the remaining rats(Norway brown rat) to make selective breeding possible.
Bringing this rat back would help preserve the ocean’s biodiversity, particularly by reducing the red crabs.
How Can Scientists Bring Back Extinct Animals?
The goal is to use cutting-edge technology to resurrect these animals and reintroduce them into the wild.
Cloning
Cloning is a reproductive process that creates an organism with the same genetic information as another.
Scientists have been working on cloning for many years, and there have been some successes. However, the process is complicated, and many clones die soon after birth.
The most common method is to use DNA from the animal’s remains to create a clone. Another method is to create an embryo using the DNA of a related species and then transfer that embryo to a surrogate mother.
Genome Editing
Genome editing is precisely altering the DNA sequence of a living organism. It involves using molecular scissors that cut the DNA at a specific point.
The scissors are then replaced with a new gene inserted into the cut. The cell repairs the cut, and the new gene becomes part of the organism’s genome.
Genome editing has been used to correct human embryos’ genetic defects and create genetically modified animals.
It could also be used to bring back extinct animals. For example, scientists could take the gene for a mammoth’s fur and insert it into the DNA of an elephant.
Back Breeding
Scientists use the process of back breeding to bring back extinct animals. It involves selecting a closely related species to the extinct animal and mating the individuals until the desired traits are restored.
This can be a long and challenging process, but it has been successful in many cases
Advantages Of De-Extinction
There are many reasons why it’s essential to bring back extinct animals.
- For one, they can play a crucial role in restoring an ecosystem.
- Secondly, they can serve as an important reminder of our history and how we should never let something like that happen again.
- Finally, they can be a source of tourism revenue for local communities.
Disadvantages Of De-Extinction
Bringing extinct animals back to life has always been a fascination for many. Scientists have been working on this for a while, and a few successes show for it.
However, there are also a few disadvantages to de-extinction that people tend to forget about.
- The most significant disadvantage of de-extinction is the cost. De-extinction is also a costly process, and it is not always clear how it would benefit ecosystems or humanity as a whole.
Some people argue that we should focus on conserving endangered species rather than trying to resurrect ones that have already gone extinct.
- Resurrected species could remain endangered, especially if the climate and other conditions like immunity do not change. Poaching is also another danger.
- There is also a risk that they could introduce new diseases into the wild or outcompete native species for resources.
What Animals Will Be Extinct By 2050?
The world’s wildlife is in trouble. A report recently published by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) states that by the year 2050, 5 species of the world’s animal species will be extinct.
The main drivers of this mass extinction are climate change and human activity.
The WWF report analyzed over 4,000 species of mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles. The findings were shocking. Of the species studied, one-third are classified as being “critically endangered.”
If things don’t change, these animal species will be extinct by 2050;
- Bee
- Sea turtle
- Polar bear
- Tiger& Cheetah
- Dolphin
Conclusion
The idea of scientists trying to bring back the megalodon may be an entertaining one and nothing more than a myth. This article debunks some of the most common myths about this massive creature.
We’ve also tried to give a clear picture of what scientists are doing in their pursuit of the de-extinction of other ancient creatures. We hope this information has been helpful!
