There were a couple of known planets that had the necessary qualifications: “Herbivorous” was an example. It was only seventeen light years away (that’s if you were to travel the old-fashioned way), was about the size of Earth, a day was twenty-three hours long, and the gravity and atmosphere were pretty much the same as Earth’s. It had evolved vegetation (which is why the exoplanet’s name was “Herbivorous”). Subsequently scientists discovered that although there were no large creatures there were smaller creatures.
After a huge amount of discussion it was decided to introduce Earth’s flora and fauna. An effort would be made to establish Earth-like conditions as much as possible. Eighteen scientists were selected to first introduce non-invasive plants to the planet. Grass and clover and garden vegetables were necessary things to introduce. It gave a sense of enormous satisfaction to see the pumpkin seeds sprout and begin to grow. Indeed the same could be said for every seed. The mission was a great success. The scientists returned to Earth.
Next the animals were selected. What tumultuous decisions had to be made! No snakes, no lizards, no dangerous wild animals, no horrid insects such as mosquitos, no rodents of any kind. It was Noah’s ark in miniature! In fact the space craft was referred to as “Noah’s Ark”.
The craft arrived safely. The animals were released. O brave new world! The introduced creatures did not survive for long. There was nothing to eat. Most of the introduced plants had died out, for there were no pollinating bees. The native plants and animals succumbed to introduced diseases. Within a few months the planet was dead; dead as a door nail. Nothing survived. What a useless place. Earthlings moved on to the next inhabitable exoplanet.
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