Cloned Ferret Gives Birth

Cloned Ferret Gives Birth

independent.co.uk

Cloned Ferret Gives Birth

A cloned black-footed ferret successfully gave birth, marking a major milestone in endangered species conservation.

English
United Kingdom
HealthConservationEndangered SpeciesZooCloningFerret
Smithsonian National Zoo And Conservation Biology InstituteUs Fish And Wildlife ServiceSan Diego Zoo Wildlife AllianceRevive & RestoreAssociation Of Zoos And Aquariums
AntoniaWillaPaul MarinariUrchin
Which organizations collaborated on this project?
This achievement is a result of collaboration between the US Fish and Wildlife Service and several partners, including the Smithsonian's NZCBI, Revive & Restore, and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.
What is the significance of Antonia the ferret's birth?
Antonia, a cloned black-footed ferret, successfully gave birth to two healthy kits at the Smithsonian National Zoo.
What is the current status of the kits and their mother?
The kits are now three weeks old and in good health, currently residing at the Virginia facility for further research.
What is unique about this birth in the context of conservation?
The birth is a historic first for conservationists, marking the first time a cloned endangered species has produced offspring.
What is the origin of the genetic material used to clone Antonia?
Antonia was cloned from tissue samples of Willa, a black-footed ferret preserved in the San Diego Zoo's Frozen Zoo in 1988.