PREVIEW

IVF Breakthrough Could Save Northern White Rhinos From Extinction. In September of 2023, an international team of researchers successfully performed the first embryo transfers in southern white rhinos. 'The Guardian' reports that the breakthrough could save the critically endangered northern rhino from the very brink of extinction. In 2018, the last male northern white rhino died in Sudan, making extinction of the species appear imminent. In Kenya, the final two infertile female northern white rhinos remain under constant armed protection at a conservation reservation. BioRescue, an international team of researchers supported by the German government, successfully performed an embryo transfer on a southern white rhino. The breakthrough could pave the way for saving the rhinos' northern counterparts. 'The Guardian' reports that scientists plan to attempt the process on the northern white rhino by May or June of 2024. The embryos were created from sperm gathered from two now-dead male northern white rhinos, combined with eggs gathered from one of the two last remaining females. The embryos will reportedly be carried by a surrogate southern white rhino in Kenya. Sumatran rhino, of which only about 40 remain in the wild. If successful in saving the northern white rhino, the process could also be used to save the endangered Sumatran rhino, of which only about 40 remain in the wild. THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT