Writes Matt Houseward:

The public needs to realize that humans are part of the delicate natural balance as well.  Humans are predators, and as beautiful as some competing predators are, they’re not necessary so long as we’re around.  If timber wolves, for example, only lived in zoos and game preserves, the environment would be no worse off, so long as humans are allowed to hunt in order to cull deer populations.  Africa is doing itself a great disservice in bowing to political pressure to keep Africa wild.  I like baboons as much as the next guy, but I have to wonder: is the African ecosystem going to fall apart if there aren’t enough baboons around eating insects, fish, and fruit?  Or, more likely, are there other animal populations that will fill in the gap that won’t kill livestock, raid vineyards, and rip the shingles off people’s homes?