While there are many successful efforts to advance assisted reproduction processes for rhino, such as from The South African Veterinary Association, there has been a significant breakthrough on this front.
Unsplash/Keith Markilie
BioResue, an organisation that specialises in helping innovate reproduction technology to help save endangered species, has achieved a remarkable feat. With their special interest in saving the northern white rhino from extinction, they have successfully administered an IVF pregnancy by inseminating a southern white rhino.A southern white rhino was used in order to conduct the experiment to receive results so it can be replicated on the northern white rhino.
As there are a very limited number of specifically the northern white rhino, this process has become a beacon of hope to preserve the future of this majestic species. With a laboratory crafted embryo, scientists have achieved the first viable embryo transfer pregnancy after 13 unsuccessful tries.
The pregnant southern white rhino was located in Kenya where the surrogate mother had a healthy pregnancy for 70 days. She, unfortunately, perished due to no fault of the surrogacy procedure. She contracted a deadly bacteria found in tainted soil.
These successful results, however, have scientists optimistic for the future of a successful artificial reproduction procedure of the northern white rhino.
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