Colossal Biosciences announces ‘de-extinction’ plan for African bluebuck | CNN

EDITOR’S NOTE: Call to Earth is a CNN editorial series committed to reporting on the environmental challenges facing our planet, together with the solutions. Rolex’s Perpetual Planet Initiative has partnered with CNN to drive awareness and education around key sustainability issues and to inspire positive action. Colossal Biosciences, the company behind a genetically engineered dire wolf, that is working toward modern hybrids of the woolly mammoth, dodo and Tasmanian tiger, is turning its attention to Africa’s extinct species. Today the Dallas-based company announced it has been secretly working to resurrect the bluebuck, a majestic antelope that’s been extinct for around 200 years. Ben Lamm, Colossal Biosciences CEO, told CNN that the move would be “reversing some of the sins of the past.” The bluebuck, also known as the blue antelope, once roamed Southern Africa and is the only large African mammal species to die out in recorded history. Its demise was rapid and is commonly attributed to hunting during the colonial era, habitat loss and competition for grazing areas with livestock. “This is a clear example of an extinction that is our fault, and that we have the te