Wildlife in the eastern U.S. are making a comeback
Founder’s Briefs: An occasional series where Mongabay founder Rhett Ayers Butler shares analysis, perspectives and story summaries. The best-known wildlife recoveries in the U.S. are often associated with the West. Yet some important gains have occurred east of the Mississippi, among cities, roads, farms, and landscapes altered over several centuries. Andrew Moore’s new book, Beasts […]
The eastern region of the United States has witnessed significant wildlife recoveries in recent years, according to Andrew Moore's book, "Beasts of the East." While the West often takes the spotlight for wildlife comebacks, important gains have occurred in the East as well, in cities, roads, farms, and altered landscapes spanning centuries.
Prior to European settlement and extensive land conversion, eastern habitats were home to a plethora of animals, including bison, elk, moose, woodland caribou, cranes, black bears, passenger pigeons, and Carolina parakeets. However, as forests were cleared, wetlands drained, and wildlife was hunted, many of these species faced permanent extinction. Yet, some species have made a remarkable return through reintroductions, habitat restoration, hunting restrictions, and long-term management.
In Kentucky, the state now boasts a substantial herd of approximately 10,000 elk (Cervus canadensis) within a 16-county restoration zone, representing the largest elk population in the eastern part of the Mississippi. In Illinois, conservationists have taken steps to restore tallgrass prairie on former farmland and reintroduce bison (Bison bison). The regrowth of forests in parts of New England has facilitated the expansion of moose, bears, fishers, and otters' ranges.
While these recoveries bring about improvements in biodiversity, they also present challenges. Elk, for instance, may damage crops, browse vegetation, and face vehicle collisions. Similarly, pumas (Puma concolor) could potentially thrive in the eastern United States due to the abundance of forests and deer; however, proposals to restore them have been yet to materialize.
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