The northern white rhino, a majestic species once thriving in the wild, is now on the brink of extinction. With only two individuals remaining, both females, the species is considered functionally extinct. However, recent advancements in reproductive technology have sparked hope for its revival.
In 2018, Sudan, the last male northern white rhino, passed away, leaving scientists with a daunting challenge. Yet, before his death, Sudan’s sperm was carefully collected and preserved. In addition, eggs were harvested from the two remaining females, Najin and Fatu.
Now, a groundbreaking achievement has occurred in the world of conservation. A southern white rhino, a closely related subspecies, has successfully undergone in vitro fertilization (IVF) and is now pregnant. This marks the first-ever IVF pregnancy in a southern white rhino and offers a glimmer of hope for the revival of the northern white rhino.
The success of the IVF procedure in the southern white rhino provides a blueprint for potentially applying the same technique to the northern white rhino. By using the preserved sperm from Sudan and the harvested eggs from Najin and Fatu, scientists may be able to create viable embryos that can be implanted into surrogate southern white rhinos.
While the road ahead is still challenging, this milestone brings renewed optimism for the future of the northern white rhino. It demonstrates the power of scientific innovation and collaboration in the face of conservation crises. With continued efforts and advancements in reproductive technology, there is a glimmer of hope that the northern white rhino may one day roam the wild once again.
