By Miah Stringer
Staff Writer
For the first time in history, scientists have successfully cloned an endangered species, the black-footed ferret. On Friday, the U.S Fish and Wildlife service announced the cloned ferret, named Elizabeth Ann. Elizabeth Anne was born on Dec. 10, she was cloned from the cells of Willa, a black-footed ferret that lived a little over 3 decades ago. Willa’s genes and tissue samples were sent to the San Diego Zoo Global’s Frozen Zoo in 1988. Embryos were created from Willa’s cells, and they were implanted into a domestic ferret that served as a surrogate. The successful cloning has been in the works since 2018 by scientists at the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, Revive & Restore, ViaGen Pets & Equine, San Diego Zoo Global, and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The Fish and Wildlife Service says that genetic cloning is a tool that can pave the way to conserve various endangered species by addressing the genetic barriers many wildlife species face and increase the chances of endangered species becoming self-sustaining. With the help of cloning, scientists are optimistic that they can create more genetic diversity within the black-footed ferrets that will protect them from diseases and obstacles that threaten the species’ survival.