The world's first water buffalo cloned from somatic cells was born Thursday morning in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
   
The buffalo's heart rate, temperature and breathing were normal. About 30 minutes after the birth, the calf stood up and nursed, said doctor Shi Deshun, head of the research project at Guangxi University.

The calf, which was born at 4:15 a.m., weighed 23 kilograms and was 86 centimeters long and 62.5 centimeters tall, said Shi.
   
The calf was cloned with ovary cells taken from an adult native buffalo and transplanted into the 12-year-old female buffalo April 10, 2004. 
   
"The birth of the calf proves our somatic cell clone technology is mature and this technology will greatly promote cattle breeding in China," said the doctor. 
   
"Our university has another two buffaloes pregnant with calves cloned with somatic cells and they are expected to be born this year," he said.

(Shenzhen Daily March 21, 2005)