The news from Kenya was devastating. Jan Stejskal, arriving in Nairobi, learned that Curra, a rhinoceros he was there to monitor, had died. Tragically, heavy rains had flooded her enclosure at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, releasing dormant bacteria spores that proved fatal, also killing another rhino in November. Yet, amidst this loss, a remarkable discovery offered a beacon of hope – a potential lifeline for a subspecies teetering on the brink of extinction.
During Curra’s postmortem examination, a 70-day-old male fetus was found in her womb. She was pregnant. Just months prior, scientists from the BioRescue consortium had implanted Curra, a 13-year-old southern white rhino, with two southern white rhino embryos, in an attempt to make her a surrogate mother. This was a groundbreaking endeavor – the first time in history a rhino had been impregnated through in vitro fertilization.
“We knew that if it was from the embryo transfer, it would be a huge breakthrough,” stated Stejskal, the BioRescue project coordinator. DNA analysis confirmed their hopes: the pregnancy was indeed a result of the embryo transfer, marking the world’s first IVF rhino pregnancy.
This success is not just a scientific achievement; it’s a crucial step in a desperate race against time to save the northern white rhino. Scientists and conservationists are now focusing on using IVF to rescue this critically endangered rhino subspecies, decimated by poachers for their horns. So, How Many White Rhinos Are Left? Concerningly, only two northern white rhinos remain alive globally, and both are female. Sudan, the last male northern white rhino, passed away in 2018.
Photographer Ami Vitale, who has dedicated 15 years to documenting the plight of these magnificent animals, expresses the collective sentiment: “It’s almost like a miracle.”
Najin and Fatu, the last two northern white rhinos, live under constant protection at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. This 90,000-acre sanctuary, nestled between Mount Kenya and the Aberdares, provides a safe haven, guarded by armed personnel around the clock. Najin, approaching 35, and her daughter Fatu, 24, are nearing the end of their expected lifespan of around 40 years.
“The northern white rhinos are just gentle, hulking creatures,” Vitale describes, emphasizing their non-wild nature due to being raised in a zoo. Unfortunately, neither Najin nor Fatu can carry a calf due to various health issues. This is where the BioRescue team’s innovative approach becomes vital. They plan to utilize southern white rhinos, like Curra, as surrogate mothers, believing the subspecies are similar enough for successful pregnancies.
For years, BioRescue has been diligently working on creating northern white rhino embryos, using eggs harvested from Fatu and sperm preserved from deceased males. Currently, they have a collection of 30 northern white rhino embryos and are actively working to produce more.
“We wanted to prove that our approach works with southern white rhino genetic material, as it is more available,” Stejskal explained. “By mastering this step, we can now use a northern white rhino embryo for the first time.”
The next critical phase involves selecting suitable southern white rhino surrogates and implanting them with the precious northern white embryos. Stejskal anticipates this crucial procedure to occur within the next six months. Given a rhino gestation period of approximately 16 months, if everything proceeds favorably, the world could witness a northern white rhino calf within two to three years.
While the embryos can be safely stored in liquid nitrogen for extended periods, time is of the essence. The scientists are keen to have any offspring interact with Najin and Fatu to learn essential social behaviors. As Thomas Hildebrandt, BioRescue’s head scientist, notes, “We want the offspring to live together with Najin and Fatu for years to learn the social behavior of its kind.”
Najin and Fatu’s journey brought them from a Czech Republic zoo to Kenya 15 years ago. The aspiration now is for a northern white rhino calf to be born soon, allowing these remaining individuals to impart their knowledge and heritage.
Ami Vitale vividly remembers the passing of Sudan, the last male northern white rhino, in 2018. Despite the heartbreak, Sudan’s death galvanized conservation efforts, pushing scientists to find innovative solutions. “They just remind me that we just have to believe and start reimagining how we’re going to do things differently — that all hope is not lost for the planet and all these extraordinary species that we share with it,” Vitale reflects.
Stejskal feels a profound “responsibility” to prevent the extinction of northern white rhinos, a sentiment echoed by the global community supporting this initiative. Millions of dollars, contributed by public and private donors worldwide, have been invested in this endeavor. “The level of commitment of every party that is involved in the project is unusual, and I have never seen anything similar in any other project that I’ve worked in,” he emphasizes.
The groundbreaking IVF advancements hold promise not only for northern white rhinos but also for other critically endangered rhino species. Vitale points out, “They will be able to use this technology and this groundbreaking science for other species. Immediately, we know it has the possibility of helping the Sumatran and Javan rhinos right away.” Both Sumatran and Javan rhinos face dire situations, with fewer than 100 individuals of each species remaining.
Despite the bittersweet context of Curra and her calf’s death, there is palpable excitement among scientists and conservationists at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy regarding the IVF pregnancy and its implications. Frank Göritz, BioRescue’s head veterinarian, acknowledges the inherent challenges of working with nature: “We try to take control of every factor that affects the well-being of the animals, but in nature you cannot control everything and sometimes your plans are thwarted by heavy rains and a disease. It is very sad, but we try to look forward.”
Vitale, having witnessed the BioRescue team’s unwavering dedication, remains optimistic. “I’ve always believed that we will see northern white rhino babies, and it is just because I have so much faith in this team,” she asserts. “It’s such a privilege to witness what they’re doing so closely. I really believe that they will not accept failure… We will see, in our lifetime, northern white rhinos roaming the plains of Kenya. I really believe that.”
This innovative IVF technique represents a crucial turning point in the fight against extinction. While only two northern white rhinos are currently left, the dedication of scientists and conservationists, coupled with this groundbreaking scientific achievement, offers a genuine chance to rewrite the future for this iconic species.
