Move over, Dolly the Sheep – there’s a new cloned superstar in town! 🌟 Chinese scientists have successfully cloned a healthy yak calf in Xizang Autonomous Region, marking a major leap for sustainable agriculture on the 'Roof of the World.'
Meet the World’s First Cloned Yak
Born via C-section on Thursday at 33.5 kg (that’s 15% heavier than average!), this jet-black calf is already walking and thriving at Damxung County’s yak breeding base. The project – a collab between Zhejiang University, local authorities, and plateau biologists – used cutting-edge somatic cell cloning to crack the code of high-altitude genetics. 🧬
Why This Matters for Climate & Communities
Yaks aren’t just fluffy mascots – they’re lifelines for herding communities and guardians of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau ecosystem. Lead researcher Fang Shengguo explains: "This tech could revolutionize yak breeding, helping farmers adapt to climate challenges while preserving biodiversity." ❄️🌱
What’s Next?
The breakthrough paves the way for:
- 🛡️ Preserving rare yak species
- 💪 Developing disease-resistant breeds
- 📈 Boosting food security in extreme environments
As scientists monitor the calf’s growth, one thing’s clear: This isn’t just science – it’s survival innovation for Earth’s highest pastures. 🌏✨
Reference(s):
cgtn.com