In the U.S., rare ferret kits were born from a cloned female for the first time.

Antonia gave birth to three ferret kits back in June, as reported by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) in early November. One of the kits died shortly after birth, but the other two – Siebert and her brother Red Cloud – are healthy and thriving.

"This is the first instance of a cloned endangered species in the U.S. producing offspring," noted the FWS, describing the birth of the black-footed ferrets as "a significant step forward" in the application of cloning.

At the zoo, Antonia's cloning and subsequent births are regarded as "a critical milestone in the conservation of endangered species." The mother and her kits will remain at the zoo for research purposes, and there are no plans to release them at this time.

Black-footed ferrets were considered extinct due to disease and habitat loss until 1981, when the species was rediscovered. Now, efforts are being made to artificially restore the population. According to WWF data, there are currently only 370 black-footed ferrets remaining in the wild.

Radio Free Europe news release: