Events in Natural History: The Pyrenean Ibex

2000: The last Pyrenean Ibex (Bucardo), named Celia, is found dead near the French border, her skull crushed by a fallen tree. The reason for the extinction of the species is unknown, as their habitat was protected since 1918. Since that time, approximately 40 individuals existed at any given time within the Ordesa National Park. Genetic bottlenecking causing lethal recessive genes to appear is a hypothesis.

2002: Previously collected somatic cells from Celia are fused with the emptied oocytes of Capra hircus. 254 embryos reconstructed. 54 embryos transferred to 12 mountain goat/domestic goat hybrids. Of these, two survive beyond two months gestation.

2003: Both pregnancies spontaneously terminate in January. No live births. First attempt at cloning declared a failure in July.

2008: Additional funding procured from Aragon District government of the Pyrenees. 439 embryos reconstructed. 57 transferred into surrogate females. 7 pregnancies result. One pregnancy persists beyond third month.

2009: Surrogate female gives birth to full-term female Pyrenean Ibex in late January. First species brought back from extinction.

2009: Ibex calf dies seven minutes after birth. First species to become extinct twice.

Buck and doe of Pyrenean Ibex subspecies documented by Richard Lydekker, 1898.