A South Korean research team led by once prominent scientist Dr. Hwang Woo Suk claims to have successfully cloned an endangered type of coyote for the first time.

Hwang successfully transferred the nucleus of somatic cells from a donor coyote to eggs of a common dog, according to Yonhap news agency. The results were the cloning of eight coyotes.

Hwang’s latest effort was supported by the provincial government of Gyeonggi Province.

The South Korean researcher was initially best known internationally for cloning the world's first dog in 2005.

However Hwang was later engulfed in controversy after revelations that he falsified research data related to cloned human embryos.

In 2009 Hwang received a two-year suspended sentence after being convicted of embezzling state research funds.

Hwang has always denied wrongdoing said he hoped to apply his procedure to bring back extinct animals.