Colossal Biosciences, the company trying to resurrect the woolly mammoth, has set its sights on another extinct animal – the bluebuck. This species of antelope thrived in Southern Africa until just 230 years ago, when it was hunted to extinction for its unique silvery slate–blue skin.
Yes, Reader, if the name rings a bell, it is indeed the same company that attempted to convince the world they had recreated an extinct dire wolf a while ago. But there’s better basis for belief this time:
The company plans to modify the genes of the bluebuck's living relatives – the roan and sable antelopes – to make a hybrid that closely resembles the extinct species.
Two of the worlds most striking antelope species, and two personal favourites of mine, though sadly rarely seen in captivity in UK zoos, with the exception of Marwell, which has a small herd of roan, and had sable years ago, when I first visited.
Although Colossal Biosciences doesn't have a timeline for the species' return, it is working to find 'rewilding' sites in South Africa where the bluebuck could be released.
Those techniques will not only be useful for bringing back the bluebuck, but also in aiding conservation projects for antelopes currently on the brink of extinction.
And I for one wish them well in this latest endeavour.
2 comments:
I don't suppose they are trying to resurrect Vlad the Impaler? We could do with a new Home Secretary.
Penseivat
I wish them luck in the endeavour but I'm not so happy about them rewilding Africa. Let nature have its way. We meddle all the time and we never get it right. Just look at everything going on with other wild creatures we have played with squirrels, ospreys, immigrants. We fiddle and screw around and have a negative impact of the ecosystems just to save a few from a species that didn't make it in the real world.
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