Will The Northern White Rhinos be saved?
As of 2018, there have only been two living Northern White Rhinos in the world. Because Najin and her daughter Fatu are both females, the extinction of the Northern White Rhino species was inevitable. However, Biorescue, a global project working to save endangered species, recently made a breakthrough that could potentially help replenish the Rhinos.
Through studying Curra, a white northern rhino Biorescue successfully implanted an embryo in, the organization learned vital information to help their next step. Though Curra was unable to deliver the baby rhino due to a premature death, Biorescue’s breakthrough was learning that the implantation of an embryo is possible.
In the future, Bioresue aims to implant previously reserved eggs from Fatu and Najin into genetically similar southern white rhinos. If the project succeeds, the northern white rhino species will be able to repopulate and no longer be at risk of extinction.
By: Keara Condon
Sources:
Just two northern white rhinos are left on Earth. A new breakthrough offers hope (cnn.com)
First IVF rhino pregnancy could save northern white rhinos from the brink of extinction. (msn.com)
