Baby hope for white rhinos
WHITE rhinos could be saved from extinction after scientists created two embryos from the eggs of one of the last two females and a dead male’s frozen sperm.
In total 14 eggs from Fatu’s ovaries were collected at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, in Kenya.
They were then transported for insemination to Avantea Laboratory in Cremona, Italy.
Two became embryos, bringing the total number in the world to five.
All have been preserved in liquid nitrogen at -196C (-321F) before implantation, which is planned for March.
The sperm used was from Suni, who died in 2018.
Najib Balala, who works for Tourism in Kenya, said: “We must do everything possible to save this species from extinction. Remember, extinction is forever.
“Once we lose this species we will have lost an iconic animal which will not be seen again by future generations.
The last female white rhinos are Najin and Fatu, who live at the conservancy. There is a remaining male but he has been sterilised.