Pro-Rewilding Ethics
There is an ethical dilemma when considering rewilding North America that seems obvious to some and ridiculous to others. Those who support rewilding based on ethics tend to believe that the animals which are being reintroduced have a right to live. This right to live comes from their current existence as well as an moral obligation of humans. In many cases supporters view it as their responsibility to give these animals another chance at survival since humans were the primary, if not sole, reason for the animals extinction in the first place. Some people also belief that it is their responsibility to live in balance with nature and to learn from the situations that are provided to them.
Anti-Rewilding Ethics
There is an ethical dilemma when considering rewilding North America that seems obvious to some and ridiculous to others. Those who are against rewilding due to their ethical beliefs generally hold the opinion that by rewilding or reintroducing a species into a new environment scientists are "playing God". These people believe that if God thought it necessary or beneficial for these animals to live in our world/time He would reintroduce them. This does not mean these people believe that the animals would negatively impact our society in some great way but it does mean that these creatures are not meant to exist in this time. This also brings up the issue of the safety of the people. These reserves need to be placed somewhere, so who is to say that a reserve filled with carnivores will not be placed behind a residential area. What is to happen when an animal escapes and attacks a child? Many people believe that it is not worth risking their family in order to increase biodiversity.