In a world captivated by the idea of reviving long-lost species like the woolly mammoth or the passenger pigeon, it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of what technology might make possible. But while we’re looking at the past, our present is in serious danger. Critically endangered species, such as the Javan rhinoceros and the vaquita porpoise, are on the brink of extinction, and they need our attention right now. We must prioritize conserving the species that still exist rather than diverting our efforts to bring back animals that disappeared thousands of years ago.
The High Costs of De-extinction vs. Conservation
The idea of bringing back extinct species sounds groundbreaking, but it comes with an immense cost—both financially and in terms of effort. De-extinction projects, such as those aiming to revive the woolly mammoth, require cutting-edge technology like gene editing, significant funding, and decades of work. Estimates suggest that reviving a single species could cost millions of dollars. For example, the woolly mammoth de-extinction project is already costing tens of millions in its early stages.
Meanwhile, conservation efforts for critically endangered species, while still costly, are far more feasible in the short term. For instance, saving the Sumatran rhinoceros, whose population has plummeted to fewer than 80 individuals, involves habitat preservation, anti-poaching patrols, and breeding programs—all of which could be supported for far less than the price of reviving an extinct species. According to the International Rhino Foundation, targeted conservation programs for species like the Sumatran rhino cost around $1.5 million annually, a fraction of what it would take to resurrect an extinct species.
The reality is that funds are limited. Diverting them from current conservation efforts to de-extinction projects risks not only financial waste but the very real possibility that we will lose species that are still here, species we can save today.
Restoration or Disruption?
Introducing extinct species back into ecosystems raises serious environmental questions. While these species once played important roles in their habitats, the world has changed drastically in the thousands of years since their disappearance. Their revival could create unforeseen disruptions in ecosystems that have adapted in their absence.
Take, for example, the idea of bringing back the woolly mammoth to the Arctic tundra. While proponents argue that they could help restore grasslands and slow climate change, we don't truly know how the reintroduction of an extinct species would affect the existing biodiversity. Would the mammoths compete with current species, potentially pushing them to extinction? On the other hand, focusing on conserving species like the Amur leopard, which still has a crucial role in its ecosystem, ensures we are preserving existing biodiversity and maintaining the balance that currently supports life on Earth.
Conserving species that are on the brink of extinction, such as the vaquita porpoise (of which fewer than 10 remain), directly helps stabilize ecosystems. By saving the species that still belong to today’s world, we prevent ecosystem collapse and help sustain the natural resources that humanity also depends on. The collapse of an ecosystem can have far-reaching consequences for biodiversity and human survival, from food security to clean air and water.
Why De-extinction Is Not the Priority
Every year, we edge closer to losing critically endangered species. The IUCN reports that approximately 1 million species are currently at risk of extinction, with many expected to vanish in the coming decades. Species like the northern white rhinoceros, which now only exists in captivity, or the Sumatran tiger, whose population numbers fewer than 400 individuals, need urgent action.
While the idea of bringing back extinct species like the passenger pigeon might grab headlines, it risks distracting us from the very real crisis facing species that are still alive today. If we allow today’s species to disappear, we may soon find ourselves trying to bring back animals that could have been saved with just a fraction of the resources being invested in de-extinction.
For example, we’ve seen the critical impact of conservation efforts on species like the mountain gorilla. In 2018, the IUCN upgraded the mountain gorilla from "critically endangered" to "endangered" due to successful conservation programs. These efforts worked because of targeted, immediate action to protect the species and its habitat. If similar effort were directed towards species like the pangolin, which is now the most trafficked mammal in the world, we could prevent them from sliding into extinction.
The Future of Earth’s Biodiversity
The decisions we make today will shape the future of life on Earth. Biodiversity is rapidly declining, and if we lose species like the Javan rhinoceros or the vaquita, we are losing much more than individual animals—we are losing entire ecosystems, and with them, the services they provide to humanity. Studies show that ecosystems with high biodiversity are more resilient to climate change and provide essential services like water purification, soil fertility, and carbon storage.
Reviving extinct species will not address the root causes of extinction—habitat destruction, poaching, climate change, and pollution. Even if we could successfully bring back species like the woolly mammoth, it won’t reverse the damage humans are doing to our planet today. The only way to safeguard the future of the Earth is by tackling the real issues and preserving the species that are alive today.
Conservation Must Come First
While de-extinction projects may offer exciting possibilities for the future, they must not overshadow the urgent need to save the species that are currently facing extinction. The financial, environmental, and moral cost of letting today's species disappear while we focus on reviving animals from the past is too high. Conservation should always be our first priority. It is essential that we channel our resources into saving critically endangered species, ensuring they don’t join the long list of animals that have already vanished forever. We can still make a difference today—and in doing so, protect the future of life on Earth.