The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Recognized as Global Center for Gene Banking
For almost 50 years, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has been leading the charge in preserving genetic samples from endangered species through its Frozen Zoo project. Recently, this groundbreaking conservation effort has garnered global recognition as the alliance was designated by the Species Survival Commission of the International Union for Conservation of Nature as its first-ever center for gene banking. This partnership aims to prevent the extinction of rare and endangered species through innovative strategies such as biodiversity banking.
The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s Frozen Zoo is the world’s largest collection of genetic samples, containing nearly 11,000 living cell cultures representing over 1,280 different species and subspecies. By carefully freezing these materials in liquid nitrogen, the alliance ensures that they can be studied and utilized for years to come.
Biodiversity banking, also known as biobanking, not only preserves genetic diversity in wildlife species but also expands the capacity for genetic research and rescue. This approach makes a lasting contribution to conservation efforts and provides hope for the survival of endangered animals.
One of the most notable successes of the alliance’s gene banking program is the cloning of a Przewalski’s horse named Kurt. Born in August 2020, Kurt is the world’s first successfully cloned Przewalski’s horse and a crucial step in restoring endangered animal populations. The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s cloning efforts also extend to other species, such as the black-footed ferret. These breakthroughs show the potential for recreating animals from the Frozen Zoo and reintroducing vital genetic diversity into populations.
The designation of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance as a global center for gene banking not only highlights the organization’s achievements but also opens doors for collaboration with partners worldwide. This recognition will allow the alliance to provide training and guidance to other zoos and conservation organizations in their gene banking efforts, ultimately increasing the collective impact of these vital conservation strategies.
Director of Reproductive Sciences at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Barbara Durrant, emphasizes the ethical responsibility we have to preserve genetic diversity, stating, “This loss of genetic diversity is our fault — it’s because of our actions — so we are actually resolving an ethical problem.” The new global center for gene banking aspires to not only prevent extinction but also to bring species back from the brink, making conservation efforts continue well beyond the realm of fantasy.
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