And she is looking for her valentine. 😊 engineering
One of the most crucial things about her is that her DNA contains multiple forms of the genes that predominate in the breeding program's inbred ferrets. This has prompted hopes that her children could significantly improve the genetic viability of black-footed ferrets,"making her a treasure trove of genetic diversity".
She is being held at a conservation center near Fort Collins, Colorado; however, finding a mate for her won't be easy. The scientists will need to be exceedingly cautious when searching for possible partners for her since mating is rarely easy in wildlife. The scientists are specifically seeking a male ferret who displays one essential characteristic: gentleness.
"When it comes to black-footed ferrets, the mating scenario can get a little rough and we don’t want Elizabeth Ann to be injured. She is precious," Oliver Ryder, director of genetics conservation at San Diego Zoo, told the Observer."So we need an experienced male who has already produced offspring and who is therefore not going to be infertile – a problem that affects many black-footed ferret males today. In addition, we will select him for his gentleness.
However, just in case, the scientists will collect a semen sample so that they can use to artificially inseminate Elizabeth Ann. Then, one day, scientists want to breed her male offspring with a captive black-footed female to ferret out any domestic genes. The scientists hope that this will increase the species' genetic variety and reverse its reproductive decline.