Vets give rare horse reverse vasectomy
A rare horse has undergone a reverse vasectomy - the first time such an operation has been conducted on an endangered species.
Minnesota, a 20-year-old Przewalski's horse had been given a vasectomy in 1999, before it was realized he was one of the most genetically valuable horses of his type.
Przewalksi's horses are a horse species native to China and Mongolia that was declared extinct in the wild in 1970. There are now only 1500 in zoos and Minnesota could be key to their survival.
Vets at the Smithsonian's National Zoo performed the op in May and say that the horse is now doing well.
Dr. Sherman Silber, who led the operation said: "I've always dreamed of using my expertise to contribute in some way to wildlife survival.
"It was exciting to pioneer a new procedure for which humans were the 'test animal.'"
National Zoo scientists hope to pair Minnesota with a suitable female in July. His genes will infuse genetic diversity in a Przewalski's horse population that is based on genes from only l4 original animals.
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