Test Tube Rhino: Scientists successfully transfer embryo in an effort to save a species

It’s a scientific first for endangered species, but it’s far from a panacea.

Researchers announced Tuesday they have successfully transferred an embryo into the uterus of a southern white rhinoceros as part of an effort to save a close relative, the northern white rhino, which is on the brink of extinction.

Led by the Berlin-based Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, the rhino IVF was performed last month at the Chorzow zoo in Poland.

Project leader Professor Thomas Hildebrandt, who is part of an international team of experts at BioRescue, called this the first proof that a theory development in the lab can work in practice. Though scientists admit they doubt the embryo actually implanted in the uterine lining, they won’t know for sure until the recipient rhino is reexamined.

Still, they are calling it a success.

“The BioRescue research project can play an important role in the conservation of species diversity because it significantly advances existing approaches for species conservation,” he said in a statement.

A year ago, the world’s last male northern white rhino, named Sudan, died.

Now, there are only two female northern white rhinos left on Earth.

A mother and daughter named Najin and Fatu. They live at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya.

But neither are able to carry calves.

 

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📸 @askmott Rhino caretaker Zacharia Kipkirui hand feeds Najin in her holding area at Ol Pejeta conservancy in Central Kenya. Najin and Fatu are the last two remaining northern white rhinos in the world and are facing extinction. This is part of a larger personal project by photographer Justin Mott titled Kindred Guardians, photographing people around the world who dedicate their lives to helping animals in need. @wildaid @natgeo @instagram @nature_org @rhinorescueproject @leica_camera @leica_fotografie_international @leicastoresg #olpejeta #justinmott #rhinos #northernwhiterhinos #savetherhinos #natgeoyourshot #insta #instarhinos #animals #animalwelfare #kenya #kenyawildlife @kenyawildlifeservice @everydayafrica @kenyawildlifetrust @wwf @wwf_kenya @everydayafrica @leonardodicapriofdn #olpejeta #instagram @everydayextinction @everydayeverywhere #najin #fatu @natgeo @leica_fotografie_international

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BioRescue is now waiting for the government in Kenya to allow scientists to harvest their eggs, which they could combine with frozen sperm samples saved from the last males.

Any embryos would then be implanted in surrogate rhinos.

Researchers are also looking at using stem cells to help create the building blocks for life and expand genetic variability in the population.

The German government has committed €4-million (about $4.5-million US) to the project.

“Biodiversity provides the basis for our livelihoods,” Dr. Michael Meister, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister of Education and Research, said in a statement.

“There is now both the possibility and the hope that we will be able to preserve critically endangered species such as the northern white rhinoceros,” he added.

The science may be on their side, but time is quickly running out.

 

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These are the last two(mother and daughter) remaining northern white rhinos in the world. Mankind, what have we done. This is the first chapter of my new personal project titled “Kindred Guardians” documenting special people around the world who dedicate their lives to helping animals. If you know of a great story , DM me. These images are available for for free usage for anyone helping rhinos. Taken at @olpejeta. #insta @ourplanetdaily @rhinorescueproject @rhinoafrica @wildaid @wildaidhk @wildaidafrica @rickygervais @wwf #rhino #rhinorescue #olpejeta #fatu #najin #stoppoaching #stoprhinopoaching #wildaid @africanwildlifefoundation @mountkenyatrust @wwf_kenya #kenyawildlife @everydayafrica @everydayeverywhere @leica_camera @leica_fotografie_international @leicastoresg @leicavietnam @rhinoafrica @rhinorescueproject @rhinolove_project @savetherhinointernational @sheldricktrust

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Main photo Justin Mott/Instagram

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Recovering newspaper reporter.

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