What We Do

De-Extinction

IDEA members are pioneers in the field of resurrection genetics. Beginning with the Pyrenean ibex in 2003, hundreds of extinct species, from Cambrian invertebrates to ice age mammals, have been revived by our members. IDEA facilities have been responsible for some of the most revolutionary innovations in genetics history.

Reintroduction

IDEA members work to re-establish populations of critically endangered and recently extinct organisms in secure habitats throughout the world. Some, like the Thomas Henry Huxley Paleozoological Gardens, re-introduce animals into national parks and other secure areas. Others, like Pleistocene Park, have established managed reserves to give extinct megafauna a place to thrive.

Genetic Assistance

Some IDEA members, such as Genetic Lifeguards, use genetics to help assist rare and imperiled populations of extant animals. Through cloning and reintroduction, we help increase populations and genetic diversity of both wild and captive populations of rare species, including directly reviving extinct genetic diversity.

Conservation

IDEA members promote the conservation of wild habitats, both of de-extinct organisms and extant ones. We also support the establishment of healthy captive breeding populations of rare species, to ensure the survival of the species should the worst happen to wild populations.

Animal Welfare

By default, all de-extinct species are classified Extinct in the Wild under the IUCN Red List. IDEA facilities strive to achieve the highest standards of animal care and welfare in the captive management of de-extinct animals. Our public facilities include leaders in animal welfare, providing top-notch care and enriching environments for resurrected species.

Education

Public IDEA facilities, such as the Thomas Henry Huxley Paleozoological Gardens, are dedicated to public education about prehistoric life. In a world fraught with misinformation, all education is beneficial. We take it upon ourselves to convey accurate information to the public about extinct life, the history of the earth, and its current state.

Andean Archive

Located in the Andes Mountains, this secure facility is a custom-designed vault for biological samples. The IDEA stores all its genetic data here, including those of critically endangered and genetically valuable extant animals, as well as DNA retrieved from fossils and genomes reconstructed for de-extinction.

Background image by Julio Lacerda, courtesy of Studio 252MYA.