The chances are you haven’t seen a black-footed ferret, also known as prairie dog hunter, because the species were thought to be extinct. Only in 1981, seven of North America’s only ferret species were found on a Wyoming ranch. Seven years later, one of the ferrets called Willa had its cells frozen following its death, as the DNA technology was first developed.
Fast forward to today and Elizabeth Ann was born using the same frozen cells taken from Willa 33 years ago. This cute little ferret arrived via C-section on December 10, and became the first-ever cloned endangered US species.
Listen beautiful relax classics on our Youtube channel.
This marks a groundbreaking step in recovery of endangered species. “The birth of Elizabeth Ann could help address genetic barriers faced by many imperiled wildlife,” stated US Fish And Wildlife on Twitter.
Elizabeth Ann will not be released into the wild but instead raised in the National Black-footed Ferret Conservation Center in Colorado, so that researchers can continue to study her.
More info: Twitter | Facebook | FWS.Gov
Elizabeth Ann the black-footed ferret was cloned from the frozen cells of her ancestor Willa who died 33 years ago
Image credits: National Black-footed Ferret Conservation Center
US Fish and Wildlife has announced the wholesome news on Twitter
Image credits: USFWSMtnPrairie
The first-ever cloned endangered black-footed ferret Elizabeth Ann was brought to life by this domestic ferret mom
Image credits: USFWSMtnPrairie
Image credits: USFWSMtnPrairie
Image credits: USFWSMtnPrairie
Image credits: Revive & Restore
Elizabeth Ann’s successful genetic cloning gives hope to other endangered species around the world
Image credits: USFWSMtnPrairie
Listen beautiful relax classics on our Youtube channel.
Image credits: USFWSMtnPrairie
The cloned ferret arrived via C-section on December 10, making it a groundbreaking moment in the history of endangered species recovery
Image credits: Revive & Restore
Image credits: Revive & Restore
But there are no plans to release this adorable furry ball into the wild
Image credits: USFWSMtnPrairie
Additional footage of the lovely Elizabeth Anne.
pic.twitter.com/fz7HnwyI1F
— US Fish and Wildlife (@USFWSMtnPrairie) February 18, 2021
Image credits: Inside Edition
If the project goes well, this would be a promising advancement in retrieving species that are on the brink of extinction
Image credits: NYTScience
And this is what people had to comment on it
Image credits: JackBaddams
Image credits: joe_finder
Image credits: chadroussan
Image credits: SimonAt15432407
Image credits: TrishHerps4Life
Image credits: sachinkumartwit
Image credits: ResidingCynic
The post Meet Elizabeth Ann, The First Clone Of A Black-Footed Ferret That Could Lead The Way To Saving Endangered Species first appeared on Bored Panda.
Source: boredpanda.com