Dairy Research Institute scientists celebrate birth anniversary of cloned buffalo

Karnal (Haryana), June 7 (ANI): The scientists of National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) celebrated the first birth anniversary of Garima, a cloned buffalo here on Sunday.

Garima, who weighed 43 kilograms at birth, added 800 grams weight everyday and was 300 kilograms on the eve of her first birth anniversary.

"The first cloned buffalo calf of the world was born in NDRI on June 6, 2009 with the indigenous techniques developed by us. So we are celebrating the birthday of this first cloned buffalo named Garima," said Anil Srivastav, Director of National Dairy Research Institute.

Garima is keeping good health and will be ready for breeding in the next few months.

"In this one year, our scientists kept a check on Garima's biochemical, hematological, physiological parameters. And after this one-year we can say with full confidence that she is also like normal buffalo calves," said Srivastav.

The birth of Garima was path breaking as it was developed by using indigenously evolved advanced, simple and less expensive 'hand- guided cloning technique' and not by the conventional cloning technology. (ANI)