The Pyrenean ibex, also known as the bucardo, holds a unique place in conservation history. This subspecies of the Spanish ibex, once native to the rugged Pyrenees mountains, became officially extinct at the turn of the 21st century. Its story, however, did not end there, as it became the first animal to undergo “de-extinction.” This attempt to bring a vanished species back to life captured global attention and expanded possibilities in genetic science.
The Bucardo’s World
The Pyrenean ibex was a sturdy wild goat, well-adapted to its mountainous environment. Adult males could weigh up to 220 pounds and stand around 30 inches tall at the shoulder, with females being notably smaller. Their coats typically ranged from reddish-brown to grayish-brown, often with darker markings on the legs and face.
A distinguishing feature of the male bucardo was its large, lyre-shaped horns, which curved backward and then swept upward and outward, sometimes reaching lengths of over three feet. These horns grew throughout their lives, with annual growth rings indicating their age. The bucardo inhabited the high-altitude regions of the Pyrenees, found at elevations below 1,200 meters. They were herbivores, grazing on grasses, herbs, and young shoots in their alpine habitat. Ibex lived in groups of 10 to 20 individuals, though females would separate from the herd to give birth in secluded areas.
A Species Lost
The decline of the Pyrenean ibex was a gradual process, driven by human pressures and environmental factors. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, hunting for their meat and horns decimated their populations. This persecution, coupled with competition for grazing lands from domestic livestock, strained the bucardo’s dwindling numbers.
Remaining populations also faced increased susceptibility to diseases transmitted by domestic animals, for which they had little natural immunity. By the late 20th century, the Pyrenean ibex was confined to a small area within Spain’s Ordesa National Park. The last known individual, a 13-year-old female named Celia, was found dead on January 6, 2000, killed by a falling tree. Her death officially marked the extinction of the Pyrenean ibex subspecies. Before her death, scientists had collected and preserved tissue samples from Celia’s ear, a foresight that proved significant.
A Brief Return
The preserved cells from Celia became the foundation for a scientific endeavor. In 2003, a team of Spanish and French scientists embarked on a project to bring the bucardo back using cloning technology. The process involved somatic cell nuclear transfer, a technique famously used to create Dolly the sheep.
Scientists took nuclei from Celia’s tissue samples. These nuclei were transferred into unfertilized egg cells from domestic goats, which had their own genetic material removed. This created embryos carrying the Pyrenean ibex’s genetic material. The embryos were then implanted into the uteruses of surrogate mothers.
Of the 57 embryos implanted, only seven resulted in pregnancies, and six of those ended in miscarriage. On July 30, 2003, one surrogate mother successfully gave birth to a female Pyrenean ibex clone. The cloned bucardo survived for only a few minutes. The newborn calf died due to severe lung defects, a common issue in cloned animals.
The Scientific Aftermath
Even though the cloned Pyrenean ibex survived for only a brief period, its birth represented a scientific proof-of-concept. This event demonstrated that de-extinction was achievable through cloning technology. It provided invaluable data on the challenges in the cloning process, including high rates of embryonic failure and developmental abnormalities.
The experiment also ignited debate within the scientific community and among the public. Discussions arose about resource allocation, questioning whether efforts should focus on preventing the extinction of endangered species rather than attempting to revive those already lost. Concerns were also raised regarding the ethical responsibilities of genetic technologies. The Pyrenean ibex cloning project, while not resulting in a sustained population, influenced subsequent de-extinction research, highlighting its potential and limitations.