Reviving the Woolly Mammoth: Orphan Elephants Hold the Key
Biotech startup Colossal aims to genetically engineer an Asian elephant-mammoth hybrid, but the question remains whether these animals could survive in the Arctic tundra. Elephant Havens, a wildlife foundation, is partnering with Colossal to capture genetic data on elephants and use artificial intelligence to determine the best way to reintroduce hybrid mammoths into the wild. In other news, a fossil found in China provides evidence that early mammals preyed on dinosaurs, astronomers have discovered a potential "Trojan" planet and a new type of stellar object, research suggests that the climate crisis affects butterflies differently based on their wing size and color, and a study reveals that female killer whales engage in "helicopter parenting" to protect their sons.