The White rhino in Northern Kenya. [Photo/buzzkenya]
Preparations have kicked off in Kenya and Europe for the long-anticipated delicate procedure to try to breed offspring from the last remaining three northern white rhinos in a sanctuary in northern Kenya.
Unable to make them breed naturally in Ol Pejeta wildlife sanctuary where they have been for eight years, international veterinarians and reproductive biologists resorted to attempting the first in vitro fertilisation on rhino species.
If successful, it will be a world first that could save the northern white rhino that has just three individuals on the edge of extinction.
The initiative started on December 20, 2009, when four of then world’s last remaining seven northern white rhinos arrived at Ol Pejeta. Najin, Fatu, Sudan and Suni had been living in Dvur Kralove Zoo in the Czech Republic.
All previous breeding attempts in the Zoo had been futile, and the hope was that the climate and rich grasslands of Ol Pejeta, a native habitat for the animals, would provide them with favourable breeding conditions.
Suni in Kenya and the other three in Europe have died leaving the two females, Najin and Fatu and the male Sudan. The aging trio leave reproductive experts limited time to carry out highly delicate specialist procedures.
Early last month, a diverse committee of veterinarians, conservationists and wildlife managers from the Czech Republic, Kenya, Britain and South Africa met in Kenya to discuss the next steps of ground-breaking procedures pegged on the last chance to save the species.
The three animals live in a special endangered species enclosure in the conservancy, but the male, Sudan, aged over 30, is too old to mate with Najin and Fatu, leaving scientists the option of trying the “test-tube baby” option that has only been successful in humans. The procedure will involve using northern white rhino sperm from several (now deceased) males that were harvested and stored in a laboratory in Berlin, Germany.