World’s first cloned Pashmina goat had given birth to seven kids at SKAUST K

Budgam, Mar 27: World’s first cloned Pashmina Goat ‘Noori’ that died on March 15 at SKAUST Kashmir , had given birth to seven kids during its 11 years of lifespan at the SKAUST-K Farm.
Dr. Riaz Ahmad Shah, Professor Cum Chief Scientist Animal Cloning Veterinary Sciences SKAUST- K told Rising Kashmir that Noori lived a healthy life of more than 11 years since its birth which is the average life span for this species, and ultimately breathed its last on March 15 this year at the Sheep and Goat Research station of SKUAST Kashmir situated at Veterinary College’s Shuhama campus. According to the officials Noorie died due to ageing.
“During her active and productive life at University’s farm, Noori gave birth to seven kids from time to time which include two female kids and five male kids that were normal kids. The males are generally disposed off. We generally retain females for multiplication at our farm. Presently two female kids of Noori are in the flock, the age of the two female kids is 2 and 3 years old” Riaz Said
He said “Noori”, the Cloned Pashmina Goat native of Ladakh region was developed at SKUAST Kashmir in 2012 by a team of Scientists. On March 09, 2012 research work conducted by the team of Scientists at Animal Biotechnology Centre of SKUAST Kashmir led to the production of World’s first Cloned goat, named “Noori” using a simplified and cost effective technique.
“The name of the cloned goat was given by one of the professors from SKUAST-K. Since it was a female goat, it was named “Noorie,” which means “The light”,” Dr Riaz said.
He revealed that this rare Pashmina goat is found at high altitudes of Ladakh where Pashmina is extracted from these goats . The fibre of these Pashmina goats is very expensive.
“Noori was produced from three parents, first one produced the egg cell, second donated the genetic material (a body cell nucleus) and third acted as surrogate/foster mother in order to nourish the reconstructed embryo in her womb for the stipulated gestation period. The aim of the research project was to establish a research platform at SKUAST -Kashmir for such high end animal reproductive technologies,” Dr Riaz added.
Adding that the scientists from the SKUAST-K have brought the world’s first cloned Pashmina goat into the world through the cloning process on 09 March 2012.