Scientists recently discovered an extinct woolly mammoth with blood still present in its veins, a discovery that opens the door to cloning.

This process is called "de-extinction" and it theoretically allows researchers to "resurrect" a number of extinct animal species. Ancient animals such as the woolly mammoth, the dodo bird and the carrier pigeon are some species researchers are considering bringing back to life.

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In May 2013, Russian paleontologists uncovered the frozen corpse of a woolly mammoth almost perfectly preserved on an island off the Siberian coast.

The team from Northeastern Federal University in Yakutsk detailed the process of de-extinction. They said their aim is to search for remaining living cells that can prove to be the most pivotal and difficult step in cloning.

The cloning procedure will be performed in Korea under the Sooam Foundation that has extensive experience with animal cloning, especially with dogs.

The frozen wooly mammoth is apparently female and around 60 years old. She's the oldest woolly mammoth found and her body and flesh are almost all intact.

Biologists presume this animal lived around 10,000 to 15,000 years ago. Her cause of death is likely to be from drowning and the water froze so quickly over her body it preserved her stomach and the lower half of her body. Some portions of the animal's back were eaten by predators before the whole body froze.

According to expedition leader Semyon Grigoryev from the Northeastern Federal University, the preserved insides are so pristine that blood remained in liquid form and the muscle tissue remained red like the color of fresh meat.

Woolly mammoths are among several species of mammoths and a relative of modern elephants. They stand around 10 feet tall, which is the same size of the African elephant. Due to climate change, global warming thaws out these ancient frozen creatures and it's now becoming easier for paleontologists to uncover woolly mammoths in Siberia.

This process will be featured in a TV show called How to Clone a Woolly Mammoth that will premiere on the Smithsonian Channel this November 29. The show will also shed light on the ethical issues raised by cloning.

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