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LETTER TO THE EDITOR

The recent editorial on the reintroduction of lynx into Colorado (Society for Conservation Biology Newsletter 6(2):8) is an unfortunate case of the inability to see the forest (species) for the trees (individuals). This myopic viewpoint has become commonplace as more of the human population becomes urban born and urban living. All persons interested in restoration of ecosystems are concerned for individuals transplanted and all agree that reintroduction programs should be based on the best available knowledge.

However, rather than asking hollow questions such as "Should individuals be traded for the good of the species?" when invariably the decline of the species is human induced, we should applaud the efforts to reestablish native species into native habitats. Without the willingness of conservationists to risk the lives of individuals in transplant efforts, Pennsylvania might be without white-tailed deer, New Mexico without bighorn sheep, Washington without woodland caribou, the greater Yellowstone ecosystem without wolves, Arizona without elk, Colorado and other western states without lynx. At the very core of conservation biology is the conservation of species; only the fringe should be unable to accept the loss of individuals in the attempt to reestablish biological diversity. Except in the rarest of instances will we not be able to regain "part of what has been lost" or re-create "part of what once existed." Only the lack of will or ingenuity will require us to continue with impoverished ecosystems.

Eric Rominger

Department of Biology

University of New Mexico

P.O. Box 704

Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504

e_rominger@gmfsh.state.nm.us

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