Resurrecting the Bluebuck: Science Brings Extinct Antelope Back to Life

The bluebuck, an extinct South African antelope, is being revived by Colossal Biosciences via genetic engineering. The initiative, part of a broader de-extinction effort, also includes species like the woolly mammoth and dire wolf. The project uses genome editing of the roan antelope, its closest living relative.

The bluebuck, once native to South Africa's southwestern Cape region, was hunted to extinction by European settlers by 1800. Now, its resurrection is underway, thanks to genetic engineering efforts by Dallas-based Colossal Biosciences. The bluebuck becomes the sixth species included in their de-extinction portfolio, alongside ambitious plans for animals such as the woolly mammoth and dire wolf.

Ben Lamm, CEO and co-founder of Colossal Biosciences, highlighted that their approach involves gene editing techniques using the roan antelope, the bluebuck's closest extant relative, to generate edited embryos that can be implanted into surrogate mothers. The team is currently at the genome-editing phase, with a projected nine-month gestation period for the embryos.

Ethical debates surround the de-extinction initiative, yet Lamm suggests that traditional conservation is failing, as many species continue to face extinction. While critics may consider the resulting animals genetically modified versions of existing creatures, progress continues, with future announcements expected for their other de-extinction projects.