In a significant breakthrough for rhino conservation, scientists have successfully created three northern white rhino embryos. With the last remaining male northern white rhino dying in 2018 and only two critically endangered females left in the world, this is a massive step for the subspecies’ survival. Can the white rhino be saved from extinction ?

Created in Avantea laboratory in Italy, the embryos were formed by inseminating frozen sperm into eggs taken from the two Kenyan-based females. The fertilised eggs will be transferred into a younger surrogate southern white rhino as the two remaining northern white females are too old to carry a pregnancy.

How researchers plan to save the white rhino

Researchers of the “BioRescue” project say their goal is to create a viable (>20 unrelated animals) breeding population of northern white rhinos. But, they warn, this could take decades and is not without challenges. Since the population of northern white rhino is so small, genetic diversity will remain low for this endangered species.

How Rockwood has helped the white rhino

In 2019, Rockwood hosted the ground-breaking Hemmersbach Rhino Force Cryovault project, this breakthrough for endangered species is led by some of the world’s leaders in genetic research. Their aim is to create the biggest genetic reservoir for southern white rhinos in the world. Sperm, eggs and other genetic material of African rhinos is collected, frozen and stored in a biobank for future use. These collections contribute to population genetics research and are used for rhino breeding projects through assisted reproduction technologies.

DNA research at Rockwood could save the endangered southern white rhino species.

Our goal for the future of the white rhino

Our goal at Rockwood is to achieve healthy genetic diversity within our population of southern white rhinos in South Africa. We do this by obtaining and studying a detailed DNA profile on each of our rhinos. We can then select which males and females to breed, aiming to create the largest genetic diverse gene pool possible.

Once the DNA profiles of all Rockwood’s rhinos are known, we will expand our research to other locations in the country, including national parks, where we can swap bulls with “new” genes. By doing this we’ll be able to pass fresh genes on to other areas and create healthier and genetically robust populations of southern white rhino.

We’re aiming to create a higher genetic diversity within the population at Rockwood than anywhere else in the world.

Captive breeding of endangered species provides scientists with the benefit of increasing the gene pool of species. In the wild this is not possible. But genetic selection is highly critical because southern white rhinos went through a genetic bottleneck in the early 1900s. If captive breeding programmes are not done properly, it could have the opposite effect and create genetic weaknesses within a rhino species population. This is particularly crucial where rhino populations numbers are greatly diminished.

We believe our approach at Rockwood will eventually lead to a positive effect on the genetic diversity of the entire southern white rhino population.

Rhino horn in demand

Many cultures in Asia value rhino horn as a potent traditional medicine as well as use it for valuable carvings. As a result, the demand for rhino horn in Asia continues to grow and fuel illegal trade. This has led to rampant rhino poaching in Africa which is rapidly pushing the species closer to extinction every day. On average, one rhino is killed every eight hours. In 2015, over a 1000 rhino were killed in South Africa alone. These numbers have dropped slightly over recent years, but the effect of poaching is still having devastating effects on the rhino population across Africa. The white rhino is not the only rhino species at risk, each and every rhino needs our help.

We are running out of time.

As guardians to over 300 endangered southern white rhino, Rockwood welcomes researchers, conservationists and volunteers to help further the study and science in preserving rhino populations. 

We strive to stay abreast with globally advanced conservation techniques for the benefit of all rhino species.

But we can’t do it alone. We need your help. 

Our doors are open to anyone who wants to help us in this race against extinction. Do you have a passion for nature and animals? Are you willing to get dirty? Then you too can contribute to the protection and preservation of Africa’s rhinos.

Don’t waste another day. Become part of the work we do. Sign up to volunteer today.

Your volunteer tasks will include:

• Feeding rhinos and other animals
• Monitor rhino health with rangers
• Upkeep of rhino camps
• Assist in data collection and capture
• Assist vets in dehorning, micro-chipping and pregnancy tests
• Provide care for orphaned rhino calves and any injured animals
• Check and maintain camera traps
• Clean and maintain horse stables
• Feed and care for horses
• Grooming and working with foals
• Check and maintain fences and gates
• Help kitchen staff prepare food
• Maintain vegetable garden

Other volunteer activities include:

•  Learn to ride horses and join Rockwood's rangers in monitoring rhinos on horseback
• Develop activities and lessons for local schools and community engagement
• Photograph and write about events and experiences at Rockwood
• Help capture data onto research database

DONATE TO HELP SAVE AFRICA'S MOST VULNERABLE WILDLIFE

On average one rhino is poached every 8 hours in Africa. Which is why we at Rockwood are doing everything we can to save the species from extinction. But looking after over 300 rhinos is no small feat. We need your help to not only safeguard the white rhino but to protect the species as a whole.