Is There Any Hope for the Northern White Rhino?

You've almost certainly never seen a northern white rhino, but thanks to the efforts of some scientists in Italy, you might someday get a chance. A critically endangered species, the northern white rhino is down to its last two specimens on Earth -- and they're both female. Such a predicament would typically mean the end is near, but the international team of scientists refused to give up. Instead, they extracted 10 eggs from the females and attempted to fertilize them with sperm that had been taken from two male rhinos before their deaths. It was a unique and unprecedented endeavor, but the work appears to be worth it. "We were really able to do something no one before has been able to do,” Jan Stejskal, a member of the team, said. “We still don’t know whether we’ll have embryos, but it was successful anyway. We proved that there is a real chance for them to have offspring.” Despite the success, there is still much to do, including finding a surrogate to carry the little rhino to term. Before that happens, at least one of the eggs must grow into a blastocyst, and a technique for transferring the embryo to the surrogate must be perfected. If all of that goes well, it might not be long before the world sees the return of a nearly extinct species.

Read about the rhino:

• While all rhino species can grow to 2,200 pounds (1,000 kg) or more, white rhinos can exceed 7,700 pounds (3,500 kg).
• A rhino's horn is made from the same substance as human fingernails and hair: keratin.
• Rhinos have a great sense of smell and terrific hearing, but seeing anything farther away than about 100 feet (30 m) is almost impossible.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Northern White Rhinos are left in the world?

As of early 2023, there are only two Northern White Rhinos left on the planet, both of which are females named Najin and Fatu. They reside under strict protection at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. Unfortunately, neither is capable of natural reproduction, making their subspecies functionally extinct.

What is being done to save the Northern White Rhino from extinction?

Scientists are employing advanced reproductive technologies, including in vitro fertilization (IVF) and stem cell techniques, to attempt to revive the Northern White Rhino population. They have harvested eggs from the two remaining females and plan to use sperm from deceased males to create viable embryos that can be carried by surrogate Southern White Rhino females.

Why can't the last two Northern White Rhinos naturally reproduce?

The last two Northern White Rhinos, Najin and Fatu, are unable to naturally reproduce due to a combination of age, health issues, and infertility. Najin has weak hind legs and cannot support the weight of a mounting male, while Fatu has a uterine condition that renders her infertile, according to conservationists at Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

What are the main threats that led to the decline of the Northern White Rhino population?

The Northern White Rhino population has been decimated primarily by poaching, driven by the demand for rhino horn in traditional medicine and as a status symbol. Additionally, habitat loss due to agriculture, human settlement, and civil unrest in their native range have severely impacted their numbers.

Is there a genetic difference between Northern and Southern White Rhinos?

Yes, there are genetic differences between Northern and Southern White Rhinos, although they are of the same species. The two subspecies diverged approximately 1 million years ago and have since adapted to different ecological niches within Africa. These genetic variations are significant enough to consider them distinct conservation units.

How can the public help in the conservation efforts of the Northern White Rhino?

The public can support conservation efforts by donating to organizations like the Ol Pejeta Conservancy and other wildlife conservation groups that are directly involved in the care and protection of rhinos. Raising awareness about the plight of the Northern White Rhino and the illegal rhino horn trade is also crucial. Additionally, supporting sustainable tourism that benefits conservation can make a significant impact.