Africa's Big 5 on the Plains of North America

If a group of US researchers have their way lions cheetahs elephants and camels could soon roam parts of North America Nature magazine reports.

The plan which is called Pleistocene re-wilding is intended to be a proactive approach to conservation. The initiative would help endangered African animals while creating jobs the Cornell University scientists say. Evidence also suggests they claim that megafauna can help maintain ecosystems and boost biodiversity.

If we only have 10 minutes to present this idea people think we're nuts said Harry Greene professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at Cornell University US. But if people hear the one-hour version they realise they haven't thought about this as much as we have. Right now we are investing all our megafauna hopes on one continent - Africa.