In a groundbreaking achievement, a cloned black-footed ferret has given birth, offering new hope for the species' survival. The female ferret, Antonia, was created in 1988 from genetic material of another ferret.
Now, living at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Virginia, Antonia successfully mated with Urchin, a male ferret, producing three kits. Sadly, one died shortly after birth, but the remaining two, a male and female, are healthy and meeting key milestones.
This marks a significant step in endangered species conservation, according to Paul Marinari, senior curator at the zoo. The birth is seen as a triumph for the Black-footed Ferret Recovery Programme, which works to save this critically endangered species.
Once thought extinct in the wild, black-footed ferrets have seen a slow recovery, with only 400 remaining in the wild and about 250 in breeding programmes. This success could pave the way for other conservation efforts worldwide.
