USA to attempt revival of extinct blue antelope
American company Colossal Biosciences has launched a project to restore the population of the so-called «blue antelope» — an animal that disappeared approximately 226 years ago.
Stuffed blue antelope in the Vienna Natural History Museum. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
This refers to a species of antelope with characteristic blue-grey fur, which reached about 1.2 meters in height and had long, curved-back horns. According to historical data, this species was completely destroyed around 1800 by European colonists in Southern Africa.
Now scientists plan to «restore» the animal using genetic technologies. To do this, they intend to edit the DNA of its closest modern relative — the roan antelope, to reproduce the external and partly biological features of the extinct species.
Company head Ben Lamm stated that bringing back the animal — is only part of the task. No less important is for the world to be ready to protect this species after its revival. For the future survival of the «restored» antelope, it is necessary to establish conservation measures and conditions in advance, under which it can safely exist in nature.