Collecting DNA of Endangered Animals in the 'Frozen Ark'

A group of British scientists is collecting and preserving the DNA of endangered species. According to Agence France-Presse, this project, named the 'Frozen Ark,' aims to protect DNA samples of rare and endangered animals before what scientists call the 'sixth mass extinction' occurs. The name is inspired by Noah's Ark. John Amor, a professor at the University of Nottingham where the project is based, states, 'Many animal species will go extinct even before we can identify them.' Amor explains that the project's goal is to acquire and safeguard genetic information of these species for future generations before it is too late. The project, initiated ten years ago by a British couple named Brian and Ann Clarke, is now active in 22 locations worldwide and has collected nearly 48,000 DNA samples from 5,500 different animal species. At the University of Nottingham, 705 DNA samples are stored in special cards at normal temperature, while the rest are kept in a special facility at eighty degrees below zero. The DNA of the Siberian tiger and the Amur leopard, both species on the brink of extinction, are also preserved in this collection. However, many environmental conservation researchers consider this project a failure. Dr. Ed Louis, one of the project's overseers, states that opponents of the plan argue that all efforts should focus on preserving endangered species. The reality, he says, is that this is impossible and impractical. The 'Frozen Ark' project does not intend to replace the efforts of environmental advocates and conservationists but serves as a secondary support. They hope this project can save the genetic heritage of these species. The Frozen Ark project began as an initiative to save a type of endangered snail. When the plan was successfully executed and Brian and Ann Clarke managed to save the endangered species, they thought about why such a plan could not be implemented for other endangered animals. The rate of extinction of various animal species is so high that a group of scientists believes the 'sixth mass extinction' is imminent. The last mass extinction occurred 65 million years ago and led to the extinction of dinosaurs from the Earth's surface.