The world Poitou population just went up by one. And where there's less than 200 of you, that's a big deal.
The very rare and prehistoric looking variety of donkey was born to a mother mare, using a new technique which helps trick the surrogate mother into thinking the implanted embryo is her own pregnancy, vasty reducing complications and miscarrage.
The embryo had to be 'relocated' when the mother donkey's knee problems put it into doubt whether she could sustain a baby to term.
Scientists say the technique, used first here to help a similar species become a surrogate for a rare cousin, will be a boon to endangered species reproduction, as well as rare breeds. Like the Poitou.