The Great Australian Wombat Reintroduction

In the edges of the early to mid 20th century, science had an unexpected breakthrough – time travel. However, this was not a toy for leisure trips to the past to chat with the great philosophers or future to snatch technological wonders. Instead, the world’s brightest minds deemed it a tool to correct some historical ecological mistakes. It was decided: extinct native Australian and New Guinean animals from the Pleistocene era were to return to their ancient homes. Scientists, passionate about their mission and equipped with ironed-out details about the ancient beasts' climate preferences and native ranges, left for their journey into the Earth's distant past. From various places around the globe, they mobilized towards one temporal point: the Pleistocene epoch in Australia and New Guinea. After a swift but disoriented trip, brave teams of men and women set about capturing the Diprotodon optatum – the giant wombat, the horned Zygomaturus trilobus, the peculiar Hulitherium tomasetti, a marsupial panda, and the broad-nosed Palorchestes azael. Their hands also reached out to the Phascolarctos stirtoni, the gigantic version of the adorable Koala. Kangaroos of far greater magnitude than current ones, the Procoptodon goliah and Sthenurus stirlingi, weren't spared. The rehabilitation teams would not forget the marsupial lion, Thylacoleo carnifex, a formidable predator in its day, or the infamous Thylacinus cynocephalus, the thylacine, often called the Tasmanian Tiger. The large spiny Hackett's giant echidna, Murrayglossus hacketti, and its cousin, the Megalibgwilia owenii, were also reintroduced. The Newton's mihirung, Genyornis newtoni, a large flightless bird, was put on patrol around the makeshift base, sharing this duty with the Quinkana fortirostrum, the walking Australian crocodile. Lastly, the longest snake that ever lived, the Australian rainbow snake, or Wonambi naracoortensis, was found sunning itself on the banks of an ancient river, and was also brought back. Each creature, after being held in specially designed pens to mimic their natural environments, were gradually reintroduced into their former habitats, with their progress closely monitored by scientists. With successful breeding and excellent rate of survival, these extinct animals began to make a comeback, returning the lands of Australia and New Guinea to an era not seen for thousands of years. Over time, they once again became an integral part of the local ecosystems, reestablishing the lost balance between species. A sense of satisfaction seized the hearts of all who were involved in this unprecedented endeavor. Now, a drive through New Guinea or Australia was a trip deep into the past, a reflection of the majestic Pleistocene era, a celebration of scientific triumph, and a testament to humanity's ability to restore and rectify.