In 'Conservation Milestone,' Cloned Ferret Gives Birth

Cloning technology is being used to help endangered species. But scientists have waited to see if cloned animals can perform the most vital role in the process — namely, making more of their kind. Antonia, a cloned black-footed ferret, has just shown they can.   

Black-footed ferrets were once common in North America. But habitat loss, hunting, and pollution destroyed their numbers. The species has even been declared extinct twice. (Although a few tiny groups of ferrets have been found over the past few decades.) Even so, all known black-footed ferrets descend from the same seven ancestors. Their gene pool is not diverse. That makes it harder for them to survive. 

Antonia was able to mate earlier this year. She then gave birth to three kits. Two kits survived. They were revealed this week by a thrilled Paul Marinari. He works for Smithsonian’s National Zoo. He's the zoo's senior curator. 

The breeding and birth of the kits "marks a major milestone" for conserving endangered species, Marinari told The Washington Post.

One of Antonia’s kits is named Sibert. The other is named Red Cloud. Though a number of black-footed ferrets have been reintroduced into the wild in recent years, Sibert and Red Cloud will remain with their mother for now at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Virginia.

Reflect: What are your personal opinions on cloning? Is it ethical? 

Photo of Antonia’s kits courtesy Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.