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Bolivian Tree Lizard cleanup plan

jarritoburritoCited 4× on HN, 2019–2023
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comedy · general · evergreen · 2019–2023 on HN

A short Simpsons clip in which Principal Skinner explains the cycle of introducing a new species to deal with a previous pest. It is a joke about ecological interventions that backfire.

It is posted as a punchline in threads about invasive species, pests and well-meant environmental fixes with side effects.

4 comments from Hacker News

@EvanAnderson2023-05 · in “Satellites reveal widespread decline in global lake water storage”

Always a good time for[0]: Skinner: Well, I was wrong; the lizards are a godsend. Lisa: But isn't that a bit short-sighted? What happens when we're overrun by lizards? Skinner: No problem. We simply release wave after wave of Chinese needle snakes. They'll wipe out the lizards. Lisa: But aren't the snakes even worse? Skinner: Yes, but we're prepared for that. We've lined up a fabulous type of gorilla that thrives on snake meat. Lisa: But then we're stuck with gorillas! Skinner: No, that's the beautiful part. When wintertime rolls around, the gorillas simply freeze to death. [0] ▶ this video

@sigmar2019-07 · in “Project Vesta – Mitigating climate change with green sand beaches”

Reminds me of The Simpsons episode where they let Lizards get rid of the pigeons, then plan to have snakes kill the lizards, then have gorillas eat the snakes. Video: ▶ this video

@wumms2019-07 · in “Cockroaches becoming resistant to most chemical insecticides”

Since Skinner recommended gorillas: ▶ this video ... I had to check [0]: at least mountain gorillas can survive temperatures below freezing. [0] link

@EvanAnderson2019-06 · in “African Swine Fever Is Spreading and Eliminating It Will Take Decades”

The Bolivian tree lizard cleanup strategy: ▶ this video Skinner: Well, I was wrong; the lizards are a godsend. Lisa: But isn't that a bit short-sighted? What happens when we're overrun by lizards? Skinner: No problem. We simply release wave after wave of Chinese needle snakes. They'll wipe out the lizards. Lisa: But aren't the snakes even worse? Skinner: Yes, but we're prepared for that. We've lined up a fabulous type of gorilla that thrives on snake meat. Lisa: But then we're stuck with gorillas! Skinner: No, that's the beautiful part. When wintertime rolls around, the gorillas simply freeze to death. Ref: link