Frozen Ark project collects 1000th animal DNA sample

The Frozen Ark Project are focusing on amphibians and sea corals

Scientists from the University of Nottingham's Frozen Ark project have now collected over 1000 gametes, cells and DNA from endangered animals.

The samples have been frozen for possible resurrection by cloning technology in the future.

Ann Clarke, from the project, said: "They [the samples] are all to be used for a conservation of last effort before the animal goes extinct."

The material already held includes that of the endangered yellow sea horse.

The Frozen Ark project began in 2004 after scientists witnessed the extinction of the Polynesian tree snail.

Ann Clarke said: "When you watch a species die out it sharpens the mind and we thought we had to try and do this."

Animal species are dying out at an unprecedented rate according to scientists.

The extinctions are largely caused by human beings, due to population increases and its effect on the planet's ecosystems.

Global warming is also a major contributor to the destruction.

Ann said: "If we don't preserve these genetic resources [DNA, cells and gametes] before they go extinct we will have no options in that direction, we will simply lose the animal, completely."

Populations of the stump-tailed macaque are decreasing

It is a race against time and Ann admitted there is a "long way to go" considering there are two to seven million endangered animals, most of which have not even been named yet.

While the DNA collected could be used to bring back species there are also other benefits.

"A lot of it will turn out to be amazingly useful to human beings," said Ann.

"We have taken drugs from plants and of course, for instance, studying the electric eel led to the development of batteries."

A BBC Science and Environment feature has been investigating the process of DNA extraction and the possibility of cloning those animals.