The increasing growth of the world population and the influence this has on our planet’s ecosystem are an important cause of this. Despite the efforts of conservationists, thousands of species are becoming extinct. When a species goes extinct, millions of years of evolution disappear. By preserving cell material, information about a species remains available.
The Frozen ark aims to collect the genetic material from species before they go extinct. It is not a substitute for the conservation of species, but a practical and timely backup of genetic material for future generations.
Samples are taken in zoos, wild populations and captive breeding programmes. These samples are a source of genetic material for research and conservation. The Frozen Ark is an international consortium of museums, zoos and laboratories in universities and elsewhere committed to the long-term preservation of this material.
Frozen ark
29januari2010
The mission of the Frozen Ark Project is to collect and preserve DNA, tissue and gametes from animals in danger of extinction. This project focuses on the thousands of animals that are threatened with extinction.
