Reviving the Northern White Rhino: A Hopeful Journey Ahead
Written on
The Plight of the Northern White Rhino
The northern white rhino is teetering on the brink of extinction, with only two remaining individuals—Najin and her daughter Fatu. A dedicated team of veterinarians and conservationists is exploring advanced reproductive techniques, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer, to save this species from disappearing entirely.
Many species that were once common are vanishing before our eyes, including the Massasauga Rattlesnake, Gray Fox, and Barn Swallow. This alarming trend is part of a broader phenomenon known as the Sixth Mass Extinction, where biodiversity is rapidly declining due to various human activities.
Understanding the Causes of Extinction
The current wave of species loss, often referred to as the Anthropocene extinction, is largely driven by habitat destruction, climate change, pollution, and resource extraction—actions primarily initiated by humans.
Historical Perspective on Extinction
Previously, many believed that species extinction was a remote possibility. The extinction of the Dodo and the near obliteration of the American bison illustrated the stark reality. This prompted naturalists to form conservation movements, leading to the establishment of the first nature reserves and national parks. Despite these efforts, the rate of global extinction continues to escalate.
The Role of Dr. Thomas Hildebrandt
Dr. Thomas Hildebrandt, a veterinary medicine expert, has emerged as a leader in assisted reproductive technologies for endangered species. With over two decades of experience, he collaborates with the international conservation consortium BioRescue, focusing on large mammals, including rhinos. Recently, BioRescue announced a groundbreaking achievement in rhino reproduction.
The team successfully facilitated the first pregnancy in a rhinoceros through embryo transfer, producing a viable white rhino embryo from harvested egg and sperm cells.
In this video, learn about the innovative IVF techniques being employed to save the northern white rhino from extinction. Experts share insights into the challenges and triumphs of this vital conservation effort.
Embryo Transfer: A Hopeful Step
On September 24, 2023, the team transferred the embryo into a southern white rhino surrogate at Kenya's Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Seventy days later, they confirmed the pregnancy of a healthy male fetus measuring 6.4 cm. This success serves as a vital proof of concept for future efforts to save the northern white rhino.
The egg cells were collected from Elenore, a southern white rhino at Pairi Daiza Zoo in Belgium, while the sperm came from Athos, a male southern white rhino from Zoo Salzburg in Austria. The IVF procedure occurred at Avantea Laboratories in Italy.
The Challenges of Assisted Reproduction
Though embryo transfer techniques are commonplace in humans and domestic animals, this was unprecedented for rhinos. Unfortunately, during a routine pregnancy check, the surrogate mother Curra was found deceased due to a severe infection caused by flooding in her enclosure. This tragic event necessitated immediate crisis management from the BioRescue team.
Despite this loss, Curra’s autopsy revealed a viable, 70-day-old fetus, confirming the success of the embryo transfer. Dr. Hildebrandt expressed both sadness and optimism, asserting that this milestone could mark a turning point for the survival of the northern white rhino and the ecosystems of Central Africa.
Preservation Efforts Continue
In addition to the last two northern white rhinos, scientists have preserved living cells from twelve other specimens. Since 2019, BioRescue has created and stored 30 northern white rhino embryos, with plans to transfer them into southern white rhino surrogates.
With the successful demonstration of embryo transfers, BioRescue is now poised to attempt the first pregnancies using northern white rhino embryos in the coming months.
This video delves into the use of IVF techniques to aid in the conservation of the endangered northern white rhinos, showcasing the innovative efforts of scientists and conservationists.
A Vision for the Future
These ambitious projects symbolize a necessary shift from the Anthropocene, characterized by mass extinctions and environmental degradation, to what some are calling the Ecozene—a period where humanity learns to harmonize with nature.
Dr. Hildebrandt emphasized the importance of raising a northern white rhino calf alongside Najin and Fatu to instill social behaviors and ensure the species' continuity. With the successful proof of concept, the dream of a northern white rhino baby could become a reality within the next two to three years.
The journey to save the northern white rhino exemplifies the potential for human innovation and determination in the face of extinction.
I’m a freelance writer and commercial blogger delivering content services to selective business to business marketing clients. I have extensive experience in content creation, technical writing, and training, working as a consultant and later in management roles with many of Canada’s most successful organizations. Specialties: Content Marketing, Social Media, Technical Writing, Training and Development. Originally published at http://daretoknow.ca on January 28, 2024.