How scientists plan to revive the northern white rhino
- 6 years ago
NANYUKI, KENYA — The death of the last male northern white rhino may mean probable extinction for the subspecies, but scientists are working on a plan to save them.
The New York Times reports that Sudan, the world's last male northern white rhino died in Kenya on Monday, leaving the only two females, neither of which is can carry a pregnancy to term.
The best plan to carry on the species is through in-vitro fertilization, using eggs extracted from the surviving females, and stored sperm from dead males.
The fertilized egg would be implanted in a surrogate southern white rhino, the species' closest living relative, which would carry the calf to term.
If successful, scientists hope to use the procedure to create a herd of five to fifteen rhinos, that would eventually be returned to their natural habitat, according to the Chicago Tribune.
With the IVF method costing as much as $9 million, conservationists hope to raise enough money and implement it before it's too late.
The New York Times reports that Sudan, the world's last male northern white rhino died in Kenya on Monday, leaving the only two females, neither of which is can carry a pregnancy to term.
The best plan to carry on the species is through in-vitro fertilization, using eggs extracted from the surviving females, and stored sperm from dead males.
The fertilized egg would be implanted in a surrogate southern white rhino, the species' closest living relative, which would carry the calf to term.
If successful, scientists hope to use the procedure to create a herd of five to fifteen rhinos, that would eventually be returned to their natural habitat, according to the Chicago Tribune.
With the IVF method costing as much as $9 million, conservationists hope to raise enough money and implement it before it's too late.