Certainly true, can’t argue with any of that. And evolution does inherently run into plenty of dead ends. My only counterpoint would be that if human encroachment never deprived them of habitat, and we gave them a geologic timescale, normal genetic mutation and natural selection could still eventually result in a more efficient digestive tract for their diet, allowing them to thrive.
Ultimately, that’s more of a little thought experiment than anything else, as those conditions don’t exist; and even if they did, even my grandchildren wouldn’t live to see the results. I just feel bad for the panda, as I suspect human impact will prevent them from surviving to ever get the opportunity, even if the odds are against them.
Certainly true, can’t argue with any of that. And evolution does inherently run into plenty of dead ends. My only counterpoint would be that if human encroachment never deprived them of habitat, and we gave them a geologic timescale, normal genetic mutation and natural selection could still eventually result in a more efficient digestive tract for their diet, allowing them to thrive.
Ultimately, that’s more of a little thought experiment than anything else, as those conditions don’t exist; and even if they did, even my grandchildren wouldn’t live to see the results. I just feel bad for the panda, as I suspect human impact will prevent them from surviving to ever get the opportunity, even if the odds are against them.