Scientists from Russia and Korea plan to clone a prehistoric horse

During excavations in Yakutia last summer, the remains of a 42,000-year-old foal were discovered. From the remains preserved in permafrost, scientists managed to extract a sample of liquid blood preserved due to the low temperature.

The foal belonged to the now extinct species of Lena horses, and scientists believe that they may be able to clone it, thereby restoring its prehistoric appearance. This would be the first step in restoring the biological diversity of the planet and the possible cloning of mammoths in the future.

The research team of Russia and South Korea expressed confidence that they will be able to recreate an extinct horse species. This will be possible by cloning using the DNA of the remains of a foal that died 42 thousand years ago.

This blood sample is 42,000 years old. Scientists found it in the remains of a foal found during excavations in the Siberian permafrost.

The foal was discovered in the Siberian Batagaika crater in the Sakha Republic, which locals call the "gateway to the underworld." The crater is a depression 100 meters deep, formed as a result of the melting of permafrost.

Despite the solid age of the remains, scientists were able to determine the age of the foal and even the cause of its death. According to them, he drowned at the age of about two weeks.

The animal's body remained virtually untouched. Experts say that this is the world's first find of a mummified prehistoric foal in such good condition — the coat, mane, tail, and internal organs remained practically intact.

Lena horse

Russian and Korean scientists have been studying the remains of a foal for several months. Now scientists are trying to find viable cells suitable for cloning. The work is being carried out at the North-Eastern Federal University in Yakutsk.

Meanwhile, a number of experts doubt that such a transplant is possible at all, since the degree of preservation of genetic material, even in permafrost, is low.