Colossal Biosciences announces that the blue antelope will be the sixth species in its de-extinction program. The company uses genetic engineering to modify the genes of the roan antelope.

Colossal Biosciences, an American company based in Dallas, aims to bring back the blue antelope, a species that disappeared around the year 1800 due to intense hunting by European settlers. Ben Lamm, the company's CEO, stated that the project has been underway for two years and that the blue antelope will become the sixth species in the company's de-extinction portfolio, alongside the woolly mammoth and the Tasmanian tiger.

The project involves the genetic modification of the roan antelope, the closest living relative, to create an embryo that will be implanted into a surrogate mother. Colossal Biosciences has used DNA obtained from a preserved blue antelope skin to understand the genomic specifics of this species. Although there are ethical debates surrounding de-extinction, Lamm emphasizes that current environmental protection is not enough to prevent species extinction. The blue antelope project joins the company's successful initiatives, including the creation of ancient wolf pups.