Four Maltese oxen, including two cows, have been bought by Ghammieri, the research centre at the government's experimental farm, in order to continue to propagate the species and save them from extinction.

Environment Minister George Pullicino yesterday visited the facility as the animals were being handed over to the experimental farm.

The animals had been bred in a complex programme spanning over a number of years as only a single bull remained alive. Mark Brincat was involved in the project with the farmer who owned the sole surviving ox. The oxen are now 96 per cent pure.

Mr Pullicino said this was another step to protect the biodiversity of the Maltese islands.