Note: In Latvia, this animal, well known by its appearance, is referred to by various names across the ocean - American polecat, black-footed ferret, or prairie dog hunter.

Scientists have cloned an endangered US animal for the first time: a black-footed ferret, using frozen cells from a member of the species that lived 30 years ago. The new ferret was brought into the world by a surrogate mother, and scientists hope that this method will help save species from extinction in the future.

The black-footed ferret is one of the most endangered species in North America. It was declared extinct in 1979, but some time later, a farmer living in Wyoming discovered a small population of the species on land he owned. The revival of the population began with this small group of animals.