New Delhi: Scientists in China have successfully created the world’s first cloned arctic wolf. The arctic wolf is also known as the white wolf or polar wolf. Making innovations in biotechnology, Beijing-based firm Cinogen Biotechnology Co. was successful in achieving the end result. This use of technology can prove to be a milestone in animal cloning, and the conservation of rare and endangered species.
According to a report in Global Times, the firm announced this on Monday, 100 days after the birth of the wolf. The wolf named Maya, born on June 10, is in very good health. Mi Jidong, general manager of Cinogen Biotechnology Company, told a news conference in Beijing that he started research with Harbin Polarland on cloning arctic wolves in 2020 to save the endangered animal. After two years of efforts, the arctic wolf has been successfully cloned.
The South China Morning Post said a 16-year-old arctic wolf named Maya had died in August last year. The donor cell of the cloned wolf was taken from this wolf and its egg was taken from the female dog. According to the Global Times report, Maya’s surrogate mother was a Beagle dog breed. The dog was chosen as a surrogate because it shares genetic ancestry with ancient wolves and therefore had a higher chance of cloning success.
This is not the first time a Chinese firm has cloned an animal. In 2019, it cloned a cat using a similar technique. The first animal to be cloned was Dolly the sheep in 1996. He died of a lung infection in February 2003.
