May 23, 2005

Brazil succeeds in cloning endangered cow

Brazil's agricultural research agency announced that it has succeeded in cloning a cow belonging to a nearly extinguished breed, in an experiment that could help save other endangered species.

Two calves were born in April month in a healthy condition after being cloned from a nine-year-old cow of the Junqueira breed, which is known for its prized meat and has fewer than 100 animals left in Brazil, the government agency said.

The Junqueira breed began being raised in the interior of Sao Paulo state in the 18th and 19th centuries and was gradually replaced by breeds that are now considered more productive.

The Brazilian research agency, Embrapa, was also responsible for South America's first cloned cow in 2001. It subsequently cloned another cow in 2003.