India Looks to Resurrect Cheetahs
A leading Indian research institute has asked Iran to lend it a pair of cheetahs or offer some cells to clone an animal that has been extinct in India for about half a century.
The Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology, based in Hyderabad, made the proposal to Iranian President Mohammad Khatami during a visit to this southern city earlier this week.
“I have proposed cloning where it is not possible to multiply them by regular or assisted breeding,” said Lalji Singh, the director of the institute.
The cheetah is a member of the cat family and is the fastest animal on land, capable of reaching 60 miles per hour in short spurts.
It disappeared from India after large-scale hunting during British rule that ended in 1947, but it is still found in Iran.
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