Rare animals 'to be moved from native habitats because of climate change'

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Endangered animals from wildcats to butterflies and fish could be transported from their native habitats to other countries under controversial plans being developed by scientists to help them cope with climate change.

Conservationists fear that rapid climate change could see animals and plants "trapped" in homes that become too hot or dry for them, raising the possibility of extinction.

But now for the first time experts have been evaluating ways to help species adapt to rapid climate change.

They are considering a controversial strategy called "managed relocation".

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The project, partly funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), involves humans stepping in to move species into more accommodating habitats.

Managed relocation has been rejected by some scientists who fear the relocated species could overpopulate a new area and cause local organisms to become extinct.

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