Chinese scientists have cloned four bulls of the rare breeds Zhangmu and Apeijiaza, reports Chinadaily.
According to the publication, both breeds of cattle are endangered and inhabit the Sizang Autonomous Region in southwestern China.
In Yunyang County, located in the Chongqing municipality, four bulls of each breed have been bred.
“This marks the world's first successful cloning of cattle from Sizang,” the agency notes.
Both breeds are rare and are raised in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, at an altitude of 3,500 meters above sea level on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
It is worth noting that this is not the first case of cattle cloning in China. Last year, scientists from the Northwest Agricultural and Forestry University successfully produced three high-yield Holstein-Friesian calves. These animals are capable of producing up to 18 tons of milk per year. Researchers called their experiment a breakthrough for the country's dairy farming, as its results will help China become less dependent on imported breeds. Currently, China relies 70% on imported cattle.
