To save the last northern white rhinos, Kenya is implementing assisted reproduction techniques, including in vitro fertilization. The two remaining females, Najin and Fatu, are old and each breeding attempt becomes more crucial. They are housed in the Ol Pejeta reserve, in Kenya, where their health is carefully monitored by local veterinary teams.
Each trimester, the females' eggs are collected in hopes of fertilizing the eggs and creating viable embryos. This method could help conserve the species, but time is running out due to the advanced age of the two rhinos.
Isaac Lekolool, head of veterinary services at the Kenya Wildlife Service, explains: “The BioRescue consortium has developed quite advanced technologies in terms of reproduction. In Europe, stem cell-assisted technologies are used. Here we use in vitro fertilization to bring this species back to life.” If this technique is successful, it could not only save northern white rhinos, but also offer solutions for other endangered species around the world.
