They are looking to clone an extinct breed of a 12,400-year-old dog found in Russia
The cold conditions have preserved the remains of this canid for about 12,400 years, scientists from the Moscow Geological Institute have found. The remains were found near the Russian resort of Tumat. It is an extinct breed of the Pleistocene, closer to the lineage of current dogs than wolves.
The researchers performed an autopsy and assured that the mummified body is in very good preservation conditions, especially the brain. It is believed to be part of the same litter of the canid known as the original “Tumat” dog found in 2011 just two meters from the place where this puppy was found, experts are examining whether the animal was a companion animal.
12400-year-old dog
They are looking to clone an extinct breed of a 12,400-year-old dog
Russian expert Dr Pavel Nikolsky, a researcher at the Moscow Geological Institute, said: “The corpse is preserved very well.” The degree of preservation is from 70 to 80 percent. “We will be able to say more precisely after it is extracted. For now we can see it on magnetic resonance imaging,” he said.
“Of course, it has dried up a little, but the cerebellum and pituitary gland are visible.” “We can say that this is the first time we have obtained the brain of a Pleistocene canid.” It is the first intact brain of a predator of this epoch, Pavel said.
12,400-year-old dog found
The Korean scientist, expert in cloning extinct animals Hwang Woo-Suk will analyze the tissue extracted from the body. If the DNA quality is sufficient, Hwang will try to clone the canid.
