Scientists report breakthrough in efforts to save northern white rhino

A team of scientists from the BioRescue consortium led by experts from the Dvůr Králové Safari Park have created primordial germ cells from stem cells of the northern white rhinoceros. This has never been achieved in large mammals before and is a big step in the international effort to save the breed. Now the team will need to produce artificial rhino gametes (eggs and sperm) from preserved tissue. If successful, this would boost the availability and genetic diversity of embryos and become a cornerstone for saving the northern white rhinoceros. Experts from the Dvůr Králové Safari Park are spearheading the effort. The last male northern white rhino in the world died in 2018 leaving only two females left to save the species from extinction.