“To introduce an animal like this in the wild will have catastrophic consequences; i.e., mass extinctions.”
So, when they existed there were mass extinctions??
That has nothing to do with it. There have been so many invasive exotics introduced and post disturbance native plant habitat has been subjected to uninterrupted succession for so long that much of native plant dormant seed is slowly being exhausted while insect biodiversity that depends upon those plants is in bigger trouble yet. I have shown that the solution set, just to keep those plants alive and reproducing, is very careful management by PEOPLE (what I've done here). When we started our project, over 80% of native biodiversity was no longer reproducing.
Apex predators run amok make that kind of work impossible. I'm already taking my life in my hands regularly, just weeding such difficult terrain.
1. Those were real dire wolves. not genetic monsters!
2. There were other critters around that kept the dire wolves in check!
The current dominant species on the planet are docile, not predators. YES, the cattle, horses, cats, dogs, coyotes, rabbits, deer, antelope and elk will be decimated.