Candidate species

Revive & Restore is working with de-extinction scientists worldwide to build a roster of potentially revivable species. From the perspectives of conservation biology and molecular biology, criteria are emerging for determining which ones are most practical and desirable to attempt to bring back.

Candidates

PACIFIC ISLAND BIRDS

Huia (New Zealand)
O’o (Hawaii)

PLANTS

Easter Island palm

PLEISTOCENE MEGAFAUNA

Woolly mammoth
Mastodon
Smilodon (saber-toothed cat)

EDGE (Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered) has excellent criteria for endangered species most worth protecting. Run by the Zoological Society of London.

Revival Criteria

HOW DESIRABLE?

Iconic? Beloved? Missed?
Did the species play an important ecological role?
Was the species the last of its genus or family, and not just one sub-species among several surviving sub-species?
Will having the species back help answer important scientific questions?

HOW PRACTICAL?

Was the extinction recent?
Close living relative available?
Deep-frozen tissue or germ plasm available?
Well preserved specimens with “ancient DNA” available?
Manageably smallish genome?
Enough specimens for genetic diversity?
Eggs accessible in the living related females for easier cloning?

HOW REWILDABLE?

Original habitat intact or restorable?
Are original causes of the extinction known and correctable?
Will the species breed easily in captivity?
Are its skills for the wild independent of wild-parent training?
Is rewilding workable for the species?
Is rewilding the species workable for the habitat?

Candidates

BIRDS OF AMERICAS

AFRICAN ANIMALS

LARGE FLIGHTLESS BIRDS

EUROPEAN ANIMALS

INSECTS

MARSUPIALS

SEA MAMMALS