World’s first successful embryo transfer in rhinos paves the way for saving the northern white rhinos from extinction

Thomas Hildebrandt, BioRescue project head, Leibniz-IZW
“The embryo transfer technique is well established for humans and for domesticated animals such as horses or cows. But for rhinos, it has been completely uncharted territory and anything from the approach over procedure protocols to required equipment had to be invented, developed, tried and tested to be safe for use. Together with the team and many professional partners, I developed the devices that can actually find and access the required location where to insert the tiny embryo into a 2-ton animal. It took many years to get it right and we are overwhelmed that we now have proof that this technique works perfectly. It is bitter that this milestone is confirmed under such tragic circumstances with the death of the surrogate Curra and her unborn calf, but I am certain that this proof of concept is a turn of the tide for the survival of the northern white rhino and the health of Central-African ecosystems. It comes just in time to achieve a pregnancy for northern white rhinos: we want the offspring to live together with Najin and Fatu for years to learn the social behaviour of its kind. Although embryos can be stored in liquid nitrogen for a very long time, we are in a rush to bring a northern white rhino baby to the ground – with this proof of concept it can become a reality in two to three years. BioRescue is only so successful because we were capable to form such a great team called the BioRescue Consortium. Most likely this is one of the significant differences to other challenging conservation approaches.”

Frank Göritz, head veterinarian in the BioRescue project, Leibniz-IZW
“The veterinary team always strives to ensure the safety of the animals – and all humans – during procedures such as an embryo transfer in rhinos. This is a highly advanced procedure and far beyond the routine for wildlife veterinarians. The embryo transfer with Curra on September 24 was smooth and without any complication, as any of the BioRescue procedures in Kenya have been until now. As the responsible anaesthesiologist you always fear that one day something does not go according to plan with an anaesthesia for example. But witnessing the death of an animal you have worked with for so long for reasons that are beyond your control is depressing. We try to take control of every factor that affects the well-being of the animals, but in nature you cannot control everything and sometimes your plans are thwarted by heavy rains and a disease. It is very sad, but we try to look forward and to see it as a milestone for the BioRescue mission.”

Susanne Holtze, scientist in the BioRescue project, Leibniz-IZW
“BioRescue follows alternative scientific approaches for creating new offspring for the northern white rhinos and ensuring the highest genetic diversity of their future population. These strategies include advanced assisted reproduction and stem-cell associated techniques as well as – in the future – editing lost genetic information discovered in museum samples back into the gene pool of the sub-species. But all of these strategies converge at producing embryos in vitro and successfully transferring them into surrogate mothers to create a pregnancy. This is why the embryo transfer technique is so pivotal to the mission and the success is such a milestone for our project.”

Jan Stejskal, the BioRescue project coordinator, Safari Park Dvůr Králové
"With this successful embryo transfer, the BioRescue team has fully opened the way to the first northern white rhino calf to be born through artificial reproduction. As always, first we wanted to prove that our approach works with southern white rhino genetic material, as it is more available. By mastering this step, we can now use a northern white rhino embryo for the first time in embryo transfer. Our current success also shows the great potential that zoos have in saving endangered species, as all the embryos that led to this success have been produced thanks to the extensive collaboration of European zoos. When we as scientists and zoo experts work together with conservationists in the field, we are much more powerful than when we work separately."

Cesare Galli, CEO of Avantea Laboratories
“All endeavours have setbacks, and we have had our share of setbacks, but we are here today to proclaim that we have done something never done before. We can today confirm that DNA testing proves that the embryo we transferred into the uterus of the southern white female rhinoceros, Curra, had developed into a healthy well developed male foetus. This demonstrates that the process of in vitro maturation of oocytes, ICSI, embryo culture and cryopreservation performed by Avantea in Cremona, Italy is successful in producing embryos that will successfully mature in surrogate females. This information not only testifies to the viability of the process but shortens the length of time required to verify success, and no longer requires the birth of a calf. In the horse, the closest domestic relative to the rhinoceros, fetal losses are more frequent in the first 50 days than at any other period of pregnancy. The development of this foetus would indicate that the chance of a successful birth would have been greater than 95%. Because of this development, we feel that embryo transfer work can switch to the use of genetically pure, Northern White rhinoceros embryos without hesitation, fully one year earlier than anticipated.”

Barbara DeMori, Director of the Ethics Laboratory for Veterinary Medicine, Conservation and Animal Welfare, Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science
“BioRescue has established a blueprint for ethical monitoring of international conservation research projects. All steps of the BioRescue project are constantly scrutinised for compliance with animal welfare standards, scientific quality and safety for the people involved. There are events we cannot control, but with BioRescue we have established the highest ethical standards possible in conservation research projects. Continuous ethical monitoring is routinely made to avoid risks both to people and animals, while opinions and perceptions of public and stakeholders are included in the assessment process. The continuous development of successful ethical monitoring procedures of BioRescue can severely benefit other conservation research projects saving endangered species.”

Dr. Erustus Kanga, Director General of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)
“Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is delighted to have been part of this journey for the last 13 years since the northern white rhinos (NWR) were brought to Kenya in the year 2009, and for being part of the great initiative of the BioRescue consortium over the last four years. The application of novel assisted reproductive techniques in an effort to save the northern white rhino from extinction has borne fruit with major milestones having been achieved in optimization of the embryo transfer procedures in rhinos. As the government agency responsible for wildlife in Kenya, we have received the great news of proof of concept with the successful embryo transfer undertaken on Kenyan soil at Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

The Government of Kenya through KWS, will continue to offer the required leadership and support to ensure success of the NWR recovery efforts as we get into the next steps of undertaking embryo transfer using the high valued NWR embryos. This is a great milestone in the preservation of the northern white rhino genetic lineage. It will contribute to the long-term vision of reintroduction of the NWR to their former range states as part of the global heritage.”

Patrick Omondi, Director/CEO of the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI)
“Now, after nearly four years of dedication to a common course by the BioRescue Consortium comprising scientists and conservationists from Kenya, Europe and Asia, a significant breakthrough has been made. The application of advanced assisted reproduction techniques provides hopes of preventing the extinction of the iconic Northern White Rhinoceros subspecies (Ceratotherium simum cottoni) from extinction. The collaborative partnerships demonstrated by the BioRescue Consortium has provided opportunities for increased specialised knowledge and expertise sharing. The successful embryo transfer in a rhinoceros, the first to be accomplished globally, provides proof of concept and allows the consortium to move to the next steps of transferring the already developed pure NWR embryos to the SWR surrogates at Ol Pejeta Conservancy. As an Institute, we look forward to the application of assisted reproduction techniques to other endangered species in Kenya and the world.”

Justin Heath, CEO of the Ol Pejeta Conservancy
“This is a huge milestone for all those that dedicate their lives to protecting endangered species, and I am particularly proud of the Ol Pejeta team for their unwavering care and dedication to the wildlife in our conservancy, especially the last two known northern white rhinos Najin and Fatu. To have lost the surrogate Curra and teaser bull Ouwan is a large blow to the BioRescue team, Ol Pejeta and the Kenyan people. It was inspiring how the combined team reacted to ensure the risk was isolated, including vaccinating, immunising and translocating within days.

While bittersweet, to have had the world's first pregnancy in a rhino after a successful surrogate transfer on Ol Pejeta Conservancy is a point of great pride for us all. We look forward to welcoming future surrogates’ rhino calves under the foothills of Mount Kenya very soon.”

Catherine Vancsok, Scientific Advisor of the Pairi Daiza Foundation
“Directly helping the northern white rhino survive in Kenya shows the crucial role zoological institutions play for the preservation of species. The Pairi Daiza Foundation has several projects running where financial means, human effort and scientific research coincide to help deliver conservation results. The procedures to extract ovocytes from Elli, the adult female southern white rhino female residing at Pairi Daiza, were an essential step in the conservation chain. The BioRescue team, the Pairi Daiza veterinarians and zookeepers made sure the herd of southern white rhino’s welfare was guaranteed at every moment. The in situ setback is unfortunately part of a long route that all of the teams involved have to experience to deliver ground-breaking conservation success. The Pairi Daiza Foundation trusts in the strength of human cooperation and scientific process to get nature, and the northern white rhino, back on its feet“.

Miriam Wiesner, Zoo Veterinarian Salzburg Zoo
“From the early beginning Zoo Salzburg supports the assisted reproduction of Southern White Rhinos and the project of BioRescue. We significantly want to contribute to the preservation of Northern and Southern White Rhinos from extinction. For us as a zoological institution it is important to show, that we can actively engage for conservation and protection of species. We are really pleased, that our breeding male “Athos” is the father of the transferred embryo!”

Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW)
The Leibniz-IZW is an internationally renowned German research institute of the Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V. and a member of the Leibniz Association. Our mission is to examine evolutionary adaptations of wildlife to global change and develop new concepts and measures for the conservation of biodiversity. To achieve this, our scientists use their broad interdisciplinary expertise from biology and veterinary medicine to conduct fundamental and applied research – from molecular to landscape level – in close dialogue with the public and stakeholders. Additionally, we are committed to unique and high-quality services for the scientific community.
www.izw-berlin.de  

Safari Park Dvůr Králové
Safari Park Dvůr Králové is a safari park in the Czech Republic with the largest collection of African animals in Europe and with excellent results in their breeding. More than 5,500 African antelopes, approximately 800 zebras, almost 300 giraffes, or over 300 African wild dogs have been born in the park. It is also one of the best rhino breeders outside of Africa and the only place where the northern white rhino bred in human care - both remaining females, Najin and Fatu, were born here. Safari Park Dvůr Králové coordinates scientific efforts to save the northern white rhinos and repeatedly returned to the wild spaces of Africa the black rhino and other African ungulates such as roan antelopes, sable antelopes, or addax.
https://safaripark.cz/en/

Avantea
Avantea is a world leading laboratory of advanced technologies for biotechnology research and animal reproduction based in Cremona, Italy. It is the only laboratory that succeeded in generating rhinoceros embryos. Avantea has over twenty years of experience and the know-how in assisted reproduction of livestock developed through years of research conducted in the biomedical and animal reproduction fields.
www.avantea.it/en/

University of Padua
University of Padua in Italy is one of the oldest in the world, celebrating 800 years. Its Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science is developing leading research and education in the field of wildlife conservation and welfare with a special focus on ethical assessment and evaluation of research projects and educational programs developed by the Ethics Laboratory for Veterinary Medicine, Conservation and Animal Welfare.
www.unipd.it/en/  

www.bca.unipd.it/en/  

Osaka University
At Osaka University, we have been engaging with diverse stakeholders to discuss what our vision for future society should be and to clarify the mission of universities.

This process has generated a common understanding that now is the time for us to boldly address serious social issues, harness new knowledge, talent, and the latest technology, and, through a variety of social reforms, build a resilient and sustainable future society to empower “life” and “living”. To realize this vision, it is incumbent upon universities as the highest academic institutions of learning to take leadership, and at Osaka University we have renewed our determination to create new value and outstanding human resources to actively take on the challenges of social transformation.
www.osaka-u.ac.jp/en

Max Delbrück Center
The Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (Max Delbrück Center) is one of the world’s leading biomedical research institutions. Max Delbrück, a Berlin native, was a Nobel laureate and one of the founders of molecular biology. At the locations in Berlin-Buch and Mitte, researchers from some 70 countries study human biology – investigating the foundations of life from its most elementary building blocks to systems-wide mechanisms. By understanding what regulates or disrupts the dynamic equilibrium of a cell, an organ, or the entire body, we can prevent diseases, diagnose them earlier, and stop their progression with tailored therapies. Patients should be able to benefit as soon as possible from basic research discoveries. This is why the Max Delbrück Center supports spin-off creation and participates in collaborative networks. It works in close partnership with Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin in the jointly-run Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC), the Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) at Charité, and the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK). Founded in 1992, the Max Delbrück Center today employs 1,800 people and is 90 percent funded by the German federal government and 10 percent by the State of Berlin.
www.mdc-berlin.de

Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Ol Pejeta Conservancy is the largest black rhino sanctuary in east Africa, and is the only place in Kenya to see chimpanzees. It is also home to the last two northern white rhinos on the planet. Ol Pejeta’s cutting-edge wildlife security includes a specialised K-9 unit, motion sensor cameras along its solar-powered electric fence, and a dedicated Rhino Protection Unit.
www.olpejetaconservancy.org/

Kenya Wildlife Service
Kenya Wildlife Service is the principal government institution that conserves and manages wildlife for Kenyans and the world. It also enforces related laws and regulations.
kws.go.ke/  

Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI)
The Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI) is a state corporation established under the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act No. 47 of 2013 to undertake and coordinate wildlife research and training through innovative approaches to enable provision of accurate and reliable data and information to inform policy formulation and decision making.
https://wrti.go.ke/

Pairi Daiza
Pairi Daiza is a zoological, botanical, and architectural Park extending over some 75 hectares in Brugelette, Belgium. The leading tourist attraction in Belgium, voted “Best Zoo in Europe”, Pairi Daiza welcomes more than 2 million visitors every year. The Park is home to 7,500 animals representing 800 different species from five continents. Its aim is to raise awareness among visitors to the park in relation to the beauty and fragility of Nature, and it participates in over 100 breeding and protection programs for endangered species. Outside its walls, the Pairi Daiza Foundation is very active for helping endangered animals and their habitats. This year, the Foundation is running 18 projects in ten countries. For example, scientific research for the benefit of Polar bears in Canada and Asian elephants, reforestation, and protection of the territories of red pandas in Nepal and Orangutans in Borneo, and the reintroduction of the Spix's Macaw in Brazil, a parrot extinct in the wild since 2000.
www.pairidaiza.eu/

Zoo Salzburg
The „Zoo Salzburg Gemeinnützige GmbH, Natur- und Artenschutzzentrum Salzburg (Salzburg Zoo Nature and Species Conservation Centre)” maintains and promotes public awareness of the understanding of animals, their habitat and their behaviour. The Zoo focuses on the conservation and management of endangered animal species outside and inside their habitats and, in this context, it actively supports respective conservation breeding programmes. An important aspect is the practical support and supervision of scientific work in zoology, ethnology, veterinary medicine and zoo education. In this relation the zoo engages in the independent development, documentation and publication of scientific research and teaching projects that serve to promote zoo biology, zoo and wild animal medicine and the protection of nature and species.

The Salzburg Zoo is open to the public during fixed opening hours and thus, serves as an urban recreational area and a meeting place for people and animals. The aim is to promote public interest in and understanding of the world's wildlife.
salzburg-zoo.at

Conservation and Research Fund e.V.
The Conservation and Research Fund e. V. is developing, implementing, and evaluating science-based nature and species conservation concepts for an evidence-based renaturation of habitats to combat biodiversity loss and climate change. Threatened species according to the "IUCN Red List" (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) are at the centre of the organisations's work. This includes the protection of the natural habitats of these species, as well as their restoration. To this end, the Conservation and Research Fund e. V. or third parties commissioned by it carry out research, practical nature conservation work, development cooperation, education, communication, and fundraising measures.
www.conservationandresearchfund.org

Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW)

Thomas Hildebrandt
BioRescue project head and head of Department of Reproduction Management
Phone: +49 30 5168-440
Email: hildebrandtizw-berlin.de

Frank Göritz
Leibniz-IZW head veterinarian and scientist in the Department of Reproduction Management
Phone: +49 30 5168-444
Email: goeritzizw-berlin.de

Susanne Holtze
Scientist in the Department of Reproduction Management
Phone: +49 30 5168-436
Email: holtzeizw-berlin.de  

Arne Ludwig
Scientist in the Department of Evolutionary Genetics
Phone: +49 30 5168-206
Email: ludwigizw-berlin.de

Jan Zwilling
Science Communication
Phone: +49 30 5168-121
Email: zwillingizw-berlin.de  

Safari Park Dvůr Králové
Jan Stejskal
Director of Communication and International Projects
Phone: +42 0608009072
Email: jan.stejskalzoodk.cz  

Avantea
Cesare Galli
Director
Phone: +39 372437242
Email: cesaregalliavantea.it  

University of Padua
Barbara de Mori
Director of the Ethics Laboratory for Veterinary Medicine, Conservation and Animal Welfare, Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science
Phone: +39 3403747666
Email: barbara.demoriunipd.it

Osaka University
Katsuhiko Hayashi
Head Department of Genome Biology, Graduate School of Medicine
Phone: +81-6-6879-3900
Email: hayashikgcb.med.osaka-u.ac.jp

Max Delbrück Center
Sebastian Diecke
Head Department Pluripotent Stem Cells
Phone: +49 30 9406-3090
Email: sebastian.dieckemdc-berlin.de

Jana Schlütter
Editor and Deputy Head, Communications Department
Phone: +49 160-9561 2924
Email: jana.schluetter@mdc-berlin.de

Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)
Dr Erustus Kanga HSC
Director General
Phone: +254 20 2379407
Email: directorkws.go.ke; kwskws.go.ke

Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI)
David Ndeereh
Deputy Director, Research
Phone: +254 722 556 380
Email: dndeerehwrti.go.ke; david.ndeereh68gmail.com  

Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Samuel Mutisya
Head of Conservation
Phone: +254 720 828 231
Email: samuel.mutisyaolpejetaconservancy.org  

Philippa Beach
Director of Development
Phone: +44 7837 572 876
Email: philippa.beacholpejetaconservancy.org

Pairi Daiza
Jens Van Herp
Spokesperson
Phone: +32 479336303
Email: jens.vanherppairidaiza.eu

Zoo Salzburg
Miriam Wiesner
Specialist veterinarian for wild and zoo animals
Phone: +43 664 9671925
Email: mwiesnersalzburg-zoo.at

Conservation and Research Fund
Steven Seet
President
Phone: +49 15224573519
Email: seetcr.fund.org