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A strange thing is happening in the world of wildlife conservation. "Frozen zoos," are gaining momentum as a potential solution for species preservation.
Essentially, the zoos are labs that store the DNA of critically endangered species for research and to maintain a species record. Some call it a miracle for preventing extinction, in large part because of its successful contribution to the effort to save the California condor.
What began as a project more than 25 years ago, frozen zoos around the world have built up quite an inventory. The San Diego Zoo Conservation Research Project has a frozen zoo with tissue samples of more than 8,400 individuals, representing more than 800 species/subspecies. The samples are stored in small plastic vials that are submerged and frozen in liquid nitrogen at negative-196 Centigrade.
With the samples, scientists can create genetic maps and try to find mutations that have led to disease or put certain species in danger?like the condor. They can also try to design genetic tests to identify carriers of such mutations. Some conservation scientists have also been using DNA to clone animals in an effort to help repopulate the endangered species, a controversial effort for sure?and some even hope to bring already-extinct species back to life. A modern-day woolly mammoth? If some scientists get their way, it just might happen.
Tune in to Focus Earth to learn more about captive breeding and the animals in peril that conservationists are trying to save.
