Scientists in east China's Shandong Province said on Tuesday that four cloned Mongolian gazelles have fared well since being born from goats in April, a world first.

Zeng Yitao of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), one of seven scientists who visited Linyi City to appraise the project, said cellular material had been extracted from Mongolian gazelles and inserted into adapted cells taken from goats.

Experts said cloning could provide a way to help preserve the Mongolian gazelle, Procapra gutturosa, which is defined by the World Conservation Union as a low risk, near threatened species.

Six of 26 goats used in the experiment became pregnant when implanted and bore six baby gazelles, two of which were stillborn, said the scientists.

The surviving baby gazelles are doing well now, running about and hopping a lot, they added.

(Xinhua News Agency December 9, 2005)