One of the greatest myths of our politically-correct anthropology is that ‘Native Americans” lived in harmony with all wildlife. Early human hunters were closely involved with the Pleistocene Extinctions, just 12,000-years ago. This was the greatest mass extinction since dinosaurs disappeared 60-million years earlier. 

This paper discusses the causes – and consequences to wildlife – of mammoth and mastodont extinctions in North America

“As discussed in the article below, it is only common sense to use animal impact from goats, wild horses and cattle to replace the missing wildlife that formerly reduced fire hazards in our wild places. Fewer fires and better habitat will increase wild animal numbers.

Thatnks to William E. Simpson II for this great perspective.

Goats are excellent at brush-clearing, as shown in the article below about Brackenridge Park in San Antonio.

Many so-called “exotic”, “non-native”, and “invasive” species are also useful in maintaining and improving habitat. These include wild horses and burros, cattle, sheep, pigs, elk (these are classified non-native in Texas), mountain goats, aoudad, and others.

 

This little elk calf has been swept downstream trying to ford the Fall River, during the June floods in Yellowstone.

Wolves are thought of as red-meat eaters, but a team of biologists in northern Minnesota, near Voyageurs National Park, has documented a pack that often enjoys a meal of fish.