This archive report was first published on 11 September 2019.
September 11, 2019, Nairobi — In a groundbreaking achievement, Kenya has taken a significant step towards saving the Northern White Rhino from extinction. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) announced on Wednesday that two embryos have been created in an Italian laboratory using eggs collected from the remaining females and frozen sperm from deceased males.
The embryos, stored in liquid nitrogen, are set to be transferred into a surrogate mother, marking a major milestone in the conservation efforts. The creation of these embryos is a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in pushing the frontiers of science to save a species from extinction.
"The pioneering in vitro embryos of the northern white rhino is a strong testament to what committed partnership can achieve in pushing the frontiers of science to save a creature from extinction," said Brig. (Rtd) John Waweru, KWS Director General.
The government has committed to facilitate the pioneering process, and the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife has expressed great encouragement for the assisted reproduction technique. The last three Northern White Rhinos reside in Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia County, where the last male, Sudan, died in March last year due to age-related complications.
