Some cellular tissue were taken from Presley, the famous Spix's Macaw, for future cloning purposes

On Tuesday, 5th August 2008 (below) I commented that perhaps tissue samples should be taken from Presley, the elderly Spix's Macaw now apparently past reproduction capability, for future cloning purposes.  However, I very recently discovered an article in the May 2003 issue of the American magazine, Bird Talk, where it stated that some blood shaft samples of growing feather tissue were actually taken from him before he was repatriated to Brazil and sent to San Diego Zoo's Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species facility. It was alleged that there they grew these into fibroblast tissue cultures, which were then frozen so that in future the nuclei from these cells could be harvested for cloning.     

Presley was allegedly illegally exported to the USA from the UK in the late 1970s. He was captured as an adult and transferred through Paraguay to the UK. Thus he must be his mid-thirties. I saw him a few days ago and he is enjoying retirement in Brazil under the excellent care of a member of the Spix's Macaw Recovery Committee. Hopefully he will be able to live out his days there without further stressful upheaval.