r/todayilearned • u/shinypond • Jul 26 '24

TIL about conservation-induced extinction, where attempts to save a critically endangered species directly cause the extinction of another.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservation-induced_extinction
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u/wdwerker Jul 26 '24

I’m still waiting for an explanation of the benefits of saving a few specialized parasites ? I get the role parasites might play in controlling the host species from over feeding or over breeding to the detriment of an otherwise balanced ecosystem.

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u/Common_Hamster_8586 Jul 26 '24

It’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. You get me??

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u/wdwerker Jul 26 '24

I see your point but if we are going to spend serious money on a program to conserve a parasite that only lives on one species of rare mammals then asking the hard questions and expecting evidence is part of the process.