Scientists successfully clone an endangered ferret
Many of us are not yet comfortable with the idea of cloning animals. Yet scientists say this may be the only way to prevent some species from disappearing. This is precisely the case with this black-legged ferret, which the US Fish and Wildlife Service has managed to clone.
Meet Elizabeth Anne
On December 10, Elizabeth Anne was born, a black-footed ferret who is the only ferret native to North America. This clone was produced from the frozen cells of a ferret named Willa which was discovered in the region over 30 years ago. A team from ViaGen Pets & Equine created embryos and implanted them in a domestic ferret surrogate, reports Engadget.
Additional footage of the lovely Elizabeth Anne. 🙂 pic.twitter.com/fz7HnwyI1F
– US Fish and Wildlife (@USFWSMtnPrairie) February 18, 2021
Indeed, it was in 1981 that a breeder from Wyoming found a small group of blacklegged ferrets. At the time, the breeder believed them to have disappeared. They have since been added to a captive breeding program. Elizabeth Anne will also remain in captivity to help scientists in their research. Scientists said more clones from embryos are also expected to be born in the coming months.
Cutting-edge science and a blast from the past! Meet Elizabeth Ann. She’s the first-ever cloned black-footed ferret, created from the frozen cells of a ferret that died more than 30 years ago: https://t.co/PJNo7NaFhV
Check the thread for more about Elizabeth Anne! pic.twitter.com/0i85mv9FgH
– US Fish and Wildlife (@USFWSMtnPrairie) February 18, 2021
