Only 2 White Rhinos Are Left In The World and They Are Guarded 24/7 | The IVF Baby Rhino Made In A Lab Is The Only Hope In Saving The Species!

By Lakshan Wickrema
November 20, 2024
9:42 GMT-0830

Northern white rhinos roamed East and Central Africa south of the Sahara at least until the latter half of the 20th century. However, poachers reduced that number with their incessant hunting. Now they are at the doorstep of extinction. The last of the white rhinos are called Najin and Fatu. They officially belong to the Dvůr Králové Zoo in the Czech Republic but live in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. They are both female after a male rhino passed away earlier. So we call them “functionally extinct”.The rangers guard them 24 hours. However, the survival of the species depends on vitro fertilization (IVF). Let’s take a closer look at the current status of the northern white rhino. And the hope for the species provided by the IVF baby rhino.

The Last Two White Rhinos: Najin and Fatu

There are currently just two living northern white rhinos left in the world: Najin and Fatu. These rhinos are not only the last of their kind. But they cannot reproduce naturally, making their situation even more dire. Both rhinos live under constant protection in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. Consequently, armed rangers protect them 24/7.

Image source: BBC earth focus

Najin, the 32-year-old female, and her daughter Fatu, 23, are the last northern white rhinos. They are a subspecies of white rhinos once roamed parts of central and eastern Africa. The northern white rhino’s decline began long before Najin and Fatu’s births. This was primarily due to poaching and habitat loss. The last known male, Sudan, died in 2018. That left Najin and Fatu as the only hope for the species. Sudan’s death marked a critical moment in conservation history. Because that meant the northern white rhino was functionally extinct in the wild.

Despite efforts to protect them, the northern white rhino’s numbers steadily dwindled. By the early 2000s, only a handful of these rhinos remained in the wild. Because poaching drove them toward extinction. Sudan’s death further highlighted how much of a struggle it has been to maintain the species. Because even protected reserves failed to halt their rapid decline.

Why Are These White Rhinos “Functionally Extinct”?

The term “functionally extinct” refers to a species that has so few individuals left that natural reproduction is no longer possible. In the case of the northern white rhino, both Najin and Fatu are unable to conceive due to reproductive issues. Najin, for example, has poor mobility, which limits her ability to breed naturally. Fatu, though younger, is also unable to reproduce without assistance. The situation is dire.

Image Source: Intreat ( Guarded 24 hours a day)

This is where science and innovation come in. The concept of using assisted reproductive technologies. Such as IVF, offers the last hope for reviving the northern white rhino population. These methods have become a focal point in global conservation efforts. Because they provide a potential path for saving the species from total extinction.

IVF Baby Rhino: The Hope for the Future

In 2024, a breakthrough in the effort to save the northern white rhino was made with the successful creation of an IVF embryo from the remaining rhinos’ genetic material. This has given scientists, conservationists, and the world hope that the species could once again thrive.

The IVF process involves collecting eggs from the remaining female rhinos, Najin and Fatu. Then sperm from deceased males, including Sudan, fertilize the eggs. These embryos are then stored in a laboratory. Later implanted into a surrogate southern white rhino. Southern white rhinos are closely related and can carry northern white rhino embryos.

Image source: ABC

In a stunning development, one of these embryos was successfully implanted into a southern white rhino. This led to the hopeful news of a pregnancy in early 2024. The IVF baby rhino, should it be born successfully, will represent a monumental achievement in conservation science.

The implications of this IVF success are immense. With the technology now in place, scientists are optimistic that further IVF pregnancies could be achieved, each bringing the species a step closer to a future where the northern white rhino once again roams the Earth.

“To achieve the first successful embryo transfer in a rhino is a huge step. But now I think with this achievement, we are very confident that we will be able to create northern white rhinos in the same manner and that we will be able to save the species. “

Susan Holtz

The Significance of IVF and What It Means for White Rhinos Conservation

The IVF breakthrough for the northern white rhino is not just a triumph for this species; it marks a turning point for global conservation efforts. For years, scientists and conservationists have warned that some species could go extinct before we find solutions to save them. The northern white rhino is one such case, where traditional conservation efforts have been unable to reverse the damage caused by poaching and habitat loss.

The IVF approach is a game-changer. For many other endangered species, the ability to store genetic material and create embryos in a laboratory setting could provide a way to sustain populations and prevent extinction. This process has already been used with other species, such as the black-footed ferret and the Arabian oryx, but the case of the northern white rhino stands as one of the most high-profile examples of how biotechnology can be used to fight extinction.

“To achieve the first successful embryo transfer in a rhino is a huge step,” said Susanne Holtze, a scientist at the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research in Germany. This is part of the Biorescue project, an international consortium trying to save this species. “But now I think with this achievement, we are very confident that we will be able to create northern white rhinos in the same manner and that we will be able to save the species.”

Ongoing Efforts to Protect and Revive the Northern White Rhino

Even as the world focuses on the IVF baby rhino and the potential revival of the northern white rhino, much work remains to be done to protect the species and ensure their survival. The Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya, where the last two rhinos live, plays a critical role in their care. The conservancy employs armed guards who protect Najin and Fatu from poachers, who remain a constant threat. Despite their protected status, the rhinos are still vulnerable to threats from poaching and illegal trade.

Additionally, while the IVF process offers hope for the future, it will take years before any potential offspring reach maturity and become capable of breeding themselves. This means that conservationists must continue their efforts to maintain a safe environment for these animals, while also working on improving the techniques and infrastructure needed for IVF to succeed. The process is expensive, complex, and slow, but it is the best chance left for the survival of the species.

In the coming years, the hope is that more pregnancies will occur through IVF, leading to a sustainable population of northern white rhinos. However, the success of this endeavor depends on continued funding, scientific progress, and international cooperation to ensure that the northern white rhino does not fade into extinction.

Image source; Reddit / CNN / The Guardian / KNO4

Conclusion

The story of the northern white rhino is a tragic reminder of the consequences of human activity on the natural world. With only two individuals left, their survival hinges on groundbreaking scientific advancements like IVF. The IVF baby rhino represents a beacon of hope, offering the possibility of restoring the species. However, it is a race against time.

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