Only two Northern white rhinos remain on our planet, and both are female. However, a groundbreaking in vitro fertilization (IVF) project has brought new hope for the revival of the species.
The Northern white rhino is a subspecies of the white rhino, with only two individuals left on Earth, both female, leading to their declaration as functionally extinct. However, this may change in the future as scientists hope to restore the Northern white rhino population using modern science.
Najin and Fatu, the two elderly female Northern white rhinos living in Kenya, are the last known individuals of their subspecies. With their advanced age and inability to reproduce naturally, their species, once found across Central Africa, has been nearly wiped out due to illegal poaching and stands on the brink of extinction.
However, a glimmer of hope has emerged with the announcement of the world’s first successful in vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancy in a rhino. This groundbreaking achievement could pave the way for the revival of one of the most endangered species on Earth.
Susanne Holtz from the Leibniz Institute for Wildlife Research and Zoo Biology in Germany, part of the BioRescue project, an international consortium working on Northern white rhinos, stated: “The first successful embryo transfer in rhinos is a significant milestone.”
“But now I think with this achievement, we are very confident that we will be able to create Northern white rhinos in a similar way and that we will be able to save this species from the brink of extinction.”
Sudan, the last male Northern white rhino in the world, poses for a photo with his caretaker and ranger at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. The conservancy spans 90,000 acres in central Kenya and plays a crucial role in protecting and promoting rhino populations in the country. Sudan passed away in 2018. After his death, only two female Northern white rhinos remain: Najin, his daughter, and Fatu, his granddaughter.
BioRescue is an ambitious collaborative effort among scientists, conservationists, and zoos worldwide. The project’s goal is to utilize advanced reproductive technologies such as IVF and stem cell techniques to create viable embryos from the remaining genetic material of deceased Northern white rhinos. These embryos will then be implanted into surrogate rhinos of a closely related subspecies – the Southern white rhino, providing a second chance for the Northern white rhino to survive.
A recent announcement marked a significant milestone in BioRescue’s journey. Scientists successfully transferred a lab-created embryo derived from Fatu’s genetic material into a Southern white rhino in Kenya. Although the pregnancy process is still in its early stages, each passing week brings the project closer to its ultimate goal: the birth of a healthy Northern white rhino.
Globally, there are five recognized species of rhinos belonging to four genera (family Rhinocerotidae). They are the white rhino (Ceratotherium simum), black rhino (Diceros bicornis), Indian rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis), Javan rhino (Rhinoceros sondaicus), and Sumatran rhino (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis). Three of the five species (the black rhino, Javan rhino, and Sumatran rhino) are listed among the top twelve globally endangered and critically endangered species (EDGE), showcasing their evolutionary uniqueness and all facing conservation challenges due to human poaching for their horns, as well as habitat loss.
This achievement is remarkable for several reasons.
First, it demonstrates the feasibility of using IVF techniques for rhino reproduction, paving the way for future applications in other endangered species facing similar challenges.
Second, it rekindles hope for the survival of the Northern white rhino, presenting a potential solution to what seemed like an unavoidable extinction.
However, the road to complete success remains long and challenging. The pregnancy must be closely monitored and nurtured, and even if a healthy rhino is born, further breeding efforts will be needed to establish a viable population. Additionally, ethical considerations surrounding such interventions within the species must be carefully addressed and discussed.
Despite the challenges, the world holds its breath watching BioRescue. The success of this project could rewrite the story for countless endangered species struggling to survive in a changing world. Najin and Fatu may not contribute directly to this success, but their legacy could live on in future generations of Northern white rhinos brought back from the brink of extinction.
