Test tube rhinoceroses: scientists have figured out how to save an extinct species (9 photos)

Northern white rhinoceroses are considered extinct, with only two females of the species remaining in the entire world. But recently, scientists tested a method that could save the entire species.





The extinct northern rhinoceroses can still be saved. The team at BioRescue, an international consortium of scientists and conservationists, believes that in vitro fertilization (IVF) will help save northern white rhinos. The IVF procedure has worked well in humans and domestic animals (horses and cows), but recently scientists have successfully used the procedure for the first time in rhinoceroses. First, it was carried out on southern white rhinoceroses - relatives of the northern ones. The results were successful.



As part of the procedure, scientists used a southern white rhinoceros embryo and implanted it into a surrogate mother. It took them 13 attempts at embryo transfer before they achieved a successful pregnancy through IVF. Now experts plan to use the living cells of 30 northern white rhinos, stored in liquid nitrogen, to save the population. However, two female northern rhinoceroses, the only representatives of the species, will not be able to bear cubs due to age and health problems. Therefore, scientists decided to implant an embryo of an extinct species into a female southern rhinoceros.





Taking into account the preparation, this procedure can be done only in two to three years. Nevertheless, scientists expect successful results. The two remaining northern white rhinos, Najin and Fatu, now live in the reserve - they were moved there to protect them from illegal poaching. The females are under reliable protection, and armed guards are on duty around them day and night.