17 Once-Hated Animals That Are Now Essential to America’s Ecosystems
We tried to wipe them out.Wolves, bats, vultures—creatures branded as monsters, vermin, or pests. We trapped them, poisoned them, and drove them to the edge. Why? Because we didn’t understand them. Turns out, we were wrong. Really wrong.These animals weren’t destroying nature—they were nature. Keeping balance. Cleaning up. Protecting crops. Helping forests breathe. And while …










