Chapter 1: The Plight of the Northern White Rhino

The northern white rhino is on the brink of extinction, with the last male of the subspecies passing away in 2018. Human activities have significantly contributed to the dramatic decline in their numbers, prompting urgent conservation efforts.

[Photo: Jeff Keeton, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons]

Every year, scientists identify new species, many of which are immediately classified as endangered. This trend highlights the alarming loss of biodiversity currently affecting our planet. Researchers from the University of Hawai’i at M?noa suggest we are now witnessing the sixth mass extinction. How can we combat this crisis? In vitro fertilization (IVF) may provide a viable solution.

Recently, researchers achieved a groundbreaking milestone by successfully fertilizing a female rhinoceros through IVF. This significant development raises hopes for the survival of the critically endangered northern white rhinos, whose population has dwindled to just two individuals.

The last male Northern White Rhino, 2017 — [Photo: Make it Kenya/Stuart Price, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons]

Will IVF be the key to saving rhinos?

The successful fertilization is part of the BioRescue project, where scientists performed the procedure on a southern white rhino. The embryo created was then implanted into a surrogate in Kenya. Unfortunately, the surrogate died two months after giving birth due to an unrelated bacterial infection, but the pregnancy itself was a notable success, offering hope for reviving the northern white rhino population.

Historically, these rhinos were integral to the Central African ecosystem, but rampant poaching for their horns—highly valued on the black market—has led to their dramatic decline. Today, only two older females remain in a protected environment in Kenya.

Scientists believe that restoring the northern white rhino population could help rehabilitate the local ecosystem, which faces numerous threats, including human encroachment and climate change.

[Photo: Karimi Ngore, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons]

Surrogate Solutions in Wildlife Conservation

Despite the promise shown by the first successful IVF procedure, the path ahead is fraught with challenges. With the last male of the northern white rhino subspecies gone and the remaining females unable to conceive, researchers are planning to extract embryos from the lab-grown northern white rhino and implant them into southern white rhinos, essentially using them as surrogates.

However, success is not guaranteed on the first try; the only successful pregnancy to date followed 13 attempts. Additionally, the procedure of implanting an embryo into such a large animal presents its own set of difficulties. Researchers have a limited supply of 30 embryos, derived from one of the last surviving females, and preserved sperm from a deceased male.

Given that young rhinos learn essential behaviors from their peers, researchers are eager to see new births before the last two females pass away. Ecologist David Balfour from the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s African Rhino Specialist Group acknowledged the challenges but stated that they are “pushing the envelope of what’s possible, but it’s worth trying.” The two southern white rhino surrogates are named Arimet and Daly.

The last male Northern White Rhino, 2017 — [Photo: Gillieandmarcart, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons]

Restoring What Was Lost

The BioRescue scientists intend to continue using IVF techniques in hopes of allowing the critically endangered northern white rhinos to reproduce independently. Optimistically, they believe this could be achieved in the next 15 years.

It's important to note that no prior attempts at IVF among subspecies have taken place, making the northern white rhino's situation unique. Researchers have access to closely related individuals and are considering generating more sperm and egg cells from stem cells.

The determination among biologists is driven by a sense of responsibility. In an interview with BBC News, Jan Stejskal, the coordinator of the BioRescue project, highlighted humanity's role in the northern white rhino's decline: “If we really have the technique that can help us save them, then I think we have an obligation to use it and try.”

Chapter 2: Hope Through Innovative Conservation Methods

This video discusses how IVF provides hope for the northern white rhino's survival, showcasing efforts to prevent their extinction.

This video covers the world's first IVF pregnancy in a southern white rhino, which ignites hope for the endangered northern white rhinos.

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