Puppy Born From Frozen Embryo Harbors Good News for Endangered Canids

Klondike with owner Julie Jordan

Meet Klondike, a 9 month old Beagle-Labrador mix, seemingly like all the others. He is different though. Klondike is the first puppy born in the western hemisphere from a frozen embryo. His beagle mother was artificially inseminated and the the resulting embryos were removed and frozen. Later, the frozen embryo was implanted into a surrogate beagle who carried and delivered Klondike.

The technique of freezing embryos for later use is the tool that researchers have been searching for to help save endangered species like the Red Wolf. Conducted by researchers at Cornell's Baker Institute for Animal Health and the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, the process called Cryopreservation is one of many being developed to to help the plight of endangered species, especially canines because their reproduction is so drastically different from other mammals. 

This represents the testable and observable aspects of science. Obviously, Klondike is the observable result of this experiment and research. So far he has no physical or mental defects that would suggest something went wrong. This is also a very testable process for those with the correct resources. 




Website:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130205101153.htm

Additional Resources:
http://news.discovery.com/animals/pets/puppy-klondike-born-from-a-frozen-embryo-130205.htm
http://blogs.redorbit.com/klondike-and-the-red-wolves/