According to IFL Science, the first clone was conceived in 2020 using frozen cells from a deceased individual named Willow.
Rachael Funnell
Now, the three clones come from the same tissue samples collected from Willow in 1988 at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance's Frozen Zoo - the same repository that is trying to use frozen skin to produce northern white rhino embryos.
Like rhino skin cells, it is hoped that using Willow's genetic material will increase the genetic diversity of the living black-footed ferret population, as it contains three times more unique genetic variations than the current average for these animals.
The conservation project is a partnership between the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Revive & Equine, the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
The aim is to overcome the genetic obstacles currently hampering efforts to recover the black-footed ferret population, whose future is at risk if there is not enough genetic diversity in the group of survivors.
Expanding the gene pool with a clone of a deceased animal reduces the risk of health problems associated with inbreeding, which are often seen in "purebred" dogs or offspring born of incest, which normally only happens among mammals when there are no other mates to choose from.
The reason for this genetic bottleneck is the fact that all the black-footed ferrets alive today were born from just seven individuals.
A decrease in genetic diversity puts them at risk of contracting certain diseases, including sylvatic plague and canine distemper virus.
To solve this problem, ferret clones are one of several approaches to try and restore some of the black-footed ferret's former genetic diversity.
It is hoped that, in conjunction with habitat conservation projects, it will one day be possible to reintroduce the black-footed ferret into the wild.
Antonia came into the world at the Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute in Virginia. Meanwhile, Noreen is housed at the National Black-footed Ferret Conservation Center in northern Colorado. - the same place where Elizabeth Ann lives.
There was hope that Elizabeth Ann might already have some cubs, but a disease - called hydrometra - prevented this from happening.
Females have two uterine horns which are crucial for fertilization. Unfortunately, one of the ones in this clone never fully developed - although itis not believed to be due to the fact that it is a clone - while the other filled up with fluid.
However, it is in good health and efforts to restore a healthy genetic spread to one of the world's most endangered mammals continue.
