September 8, 2003

UI Turns to Idaho School Children
To Name Third Mule Clone Foal

MOSCOW – Heehaw! The University of Idaho is turning over the naming of its third mule clone foal to the school children of the state.

The university has developed a special Web site for children to learn about cloning and the Project Idaho mules – aptly named the Clone Zone at www.uidaho.edu/clonezone. Here, students can find out what a clone is, how the research team created the clones and why animals are being cloned.

Also on the site is an entry form for children to submit a name for the third mule clone. The UI will announce the selected name and honor the student(s) who submitted the name, during its College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Ag Days, Oct. 17, in Moscow.

“ The cloning success of this Idaho team will become as much a part of our state heritage as the Idaho potato and Lewis and Clark,” said Gordon Woods, lead researcher for the cloning project. “I want our young people to understand the level of science it took to accomplish this success and be proud that it happened in Idaho.”

This spring, UI made history when the world’s first equine clone was born. The birth of Idaho Gem – named for the Gem State – was the culmination of years of research for the Project Idaho research team, and news of his birth played around the globe. Since the first birth in May, two other mule clones have been born – Utah Pioneer, and the third foal, yet to be named. All three mules are identical triplets.

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CONTACTS: Kathy Barnard, University Communications, (208) 885-6291,
or kbarnard@uidaho.edu