The extinct animal that briefly "came back" is the Pyrenean ibex, also known by its French name bouquetin or Spanish name bucardo. It holds a unique position in the history of de-extinction science.
The Brief Return of the Pyrenean Ibex
The Pyrenean ibex is notable as the only animal to have successfully survived de-extinction past birth through cloning. While its life after being cloned was very short, its birth marked a monumental achievement, demonstrating the technical possibility of bringing extinct species back to life.
Understanding De-Extinction Through Cloning
De-extinction refers to the process of creating an organism, or a population of organisms, that resembles an extinct species. One of the primary methods explored for de-extinction is cloning, which involves using genetic material from the extinct animal.
The process typically involves:
- Retrieving DNA: Scientists extract genetic material from preserved remains of the extinct species.
- Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT): This is the same technique used to clone animals like Dolly the sheep. The nucleus, containing the DNA, is transferred into an egg cell from a closely related living species, which has had its own nucleus removed.
- Embryo Development: The reconstructed egg cell is stimulated to divide and develop into an embryo.
- Gestation in a Surrogate Mother: The embryo is then implanted into the womb of a surrogate mother from a related species, which carries the pregnancy to term.
In the case of the Pyrenean ibex, scientists used DNA preserved from the last known individual, a female named Celia, who died in 2000. They successfully implanted the cloned embryo into a domestic goat, leading to the birth of a cloned Pyrenean ibex in 2003. Although the clone survived only a few minutes due to lung defects, its birth proved that de-extinction efforts could indeed yield a live animal.
Significance of the Pyrenean Ibex's Milestone
The brief existence of the cloned Pyrenean ibex, despite its short lifespan, was a critical step forward in the field of conservation and biotechnology. It provided invaluable insights into the challenges and potential of cloning extinct species, paving the way for future research and discussions on the ethical and practical implications of de-extinction.
