 Dewey, The First Cloned Deer
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Dec. 23, 2003 — U.S. researchers said Monday they had carried out the first successful cloning of a white-tailed deer in a "breakthrough" that could be instrumental in conserving endangered deer species.
The cloned animal, a fawn named Dewey, was born to a surrogate mother several months ago, but was only certified as a genetic clone of a donor through a recent DNA analysis, researchers at Texas A and M University said.
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"Dewey is developing normally for a fawn his age and appears healthy," said Mark Westhusin, associate professor with the university's college of veterinary medicine and lead investigator on the project in a statement.
Dewey is thought to be the first such deer clone and could ultimately be useful in conserving endangered deer species, including the Key deer of Florida, researchers said.
White-tailed deer are the most abundant, wide-spread big game animal in North America, but cloning could be a used in certain circumstances to preserve the genetics of superior animals who have died of natural causes or have been hunted, the researchers suggested.
The university has previously cloned a disease-resistant Angus bull, and the first Brahma bull, a Boer goat, pigs and a cat.
In August 2001, the first of five litters of cloned piglets were born followed by "cc" the first genetic reproduction of a companion animal in December 2001.
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Name: White-Tailed Deer (Odocileus virginianus)
Primary Classification: Cervidae (Deer) Location: Southern Canada to northern South America. Habitat: Woodlands and grasslands that offer partial concealment. Diet: A host of plant species including buckbrush, dogwood, chokecherry, plum red cedar, pine and agricultural crops. Size: Up to 8 ft in length and 310 lbs in weight. Description: Rusty brown in summer to buff in winter. White belly and white patch on throat. Variable white areas on face. Large tail has white underside. Males, or bucks, have antlers whereas females, or does, do not. Cool Facts: When threatened they raise their tails, flashing the white underside as a warning to others in the herd. Conservation Status: Common |
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