REBUILDING THE NORTHERN WHITE RHINO: A RACE AGAINST TIME
Why in the News?
- Recently, scientists announced the first-ever successful rhinopregnancy via IVF, using a surrogate southern white rhino.
- The international consortium, BioRescue, aims to replicate this success with 30 stored embryos of the northern white.
Background:
- The death of the last male in 2018 marked the impending extinction of the northern white rhino.
- In 2015, an ambitious project to revive the subspecies through in vitro fertilization (IVF) was initiated by 20 scientists from five continents.
- Challenges include preparing suitable surrogate mothers and genetic viability due to limited gene pool.
Source: Travel for Wildlife
About Rhino Species
· Only two northern white rhinos remain globally, making them critically endangered. · White rhinos are the second largest land mammal, known for their square lips distinguishing them from other rhino species. · The northern white rhino is critically endangered, while the southern white rhino is near threatened. Other Rhino Species · The black rhinoceros, with three extinct subspecies, is critically endangered. · Indian rhinoceros, with a single horn, is vulnerable. · Javan and Sumatran rhinos, critically endangered, have one and two horns respectively. About In vitro Fertilization (IVF) · IVF, a form of Assisted Reproductive Technology, involves fertilization outside the body. · Latin for “in glass,” IVF procedures are conducted in a lab. · Eggs are retrieved, fertilized, and embryos transferred to a uterus during IVF. |