The Lynx

 

In 1884, New Orleans hosted the World Cotton Centennial; a lavish affair that featured thousands of electric lights and an observation tower with electric elevators. The Japanese delegates who attended brought water hyacinths to distribute as gifts. Water hyacinths are lovely, but they’re an invasive species here. They grow in dense colonies that block out sunlight and crowd out other plant life. Before long, Louisiana’s waterways were clogged with them. In March, 1910, Congressman Robert Broussard introduced a bill to appropriate $250,000 for the importation of hippopotamuses. The hippos, he said, would munch away at the hyacinths. Then Americans – who complained about the high cost of meat – could enjoy hippo steaks. Alas, his idea never caught on. Instead, Congress opted to drain swampland to allow for more pastures. 112 years later, Americans still eat mostly beef, chicken and pork. And the state of Louisiana spends over $2 million a year on herbicides to control the water hyacinth.