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Embryonic Cattle Rescue

Fertilised ova and semen have been collected from Enderby Island cattle in a bid to preserve the gene pool of the wild animals. The short-horn cattle were released on the remote island in the 1890s. They were eradicated last month as part of restoration plans for the sub-Antarctic island group.

The rescue of genetic material was carried out by a team from the Rare Breeds Conservation Society. The cattle are of interest because they survived without modern drugs and lived on rough forage and seaweed.

"We don't think there can be any argument that the decision to eradicate the cattle is the right one. However, the cattle are also now a unique group of animals which may have desireable attributes", said Hugh Blair, society chairman.

Preservation of the gene pool in the form of test-tube calves in a mainland herd will ensure that demands for their particular characteristics can be met in the future. There are plans for similar preservation attempts for the pigs and rabbits on the island.

Elspeth McIntyre, Massey University