You Can Help Save a Species!

Najin and Fatu are thriving following a substantial rainy season through November and early December in Kenya. Caretakers report that both rhinos are in excellent health, and have enjoyed the impact of abundant grass and water. They have often been found wallowing in the mud, munching on carrots and playing between Fatu and her companion Tauwo. We are so grateful to you, our supporters, for continuing to partner with us and ensure The Girls remain safe and healthy in an increasingly challenging world. We could not do this without you.

This last quarter of 2023 brought new advancements in the field of reproductive technology from the BioRescue project, which we are delighted to share with you in this update.

The BioRescue project, spearheading advanced assisted reproduction technologies (aART) for the northern white rhino recovery programme, recently published a comprehensive analysis detailing the outcomes of 65 aART procedures which they performed from 2015 to 2022. This thorough evaluation of the work being conducted affirms the safety and reliability of aART in northern white rhinos. The procedures that have been conducted involve hormonal ovarian stimulation, ovum pick-up (OPU), in-vitro oocyte maturation, in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), and cryopreservation. All of these stages have been an outstanding success, affirming the work being done. A notable outcome of this study showed that repeated OPUs exhibited no adverse effects on the rhino, emphasizing Fatu’s safety during the pick-up process.

The age of the oocyte donor emerged as a key factor in IVF success, prompting considerations for future conservation efforts. In southern white rhino trials, it was found that at the age of 24, the number of OPU attempts that yield no oocytes increases dramatically. At 23 years old, Fatu is nearing the age at which IVF success may cease, however, optimal nutrition and subspecies-related factors could potentially prolong this period. We can only emphasize the importance of funding now as this window of time is closing to ensure that these technologies can continue to be implemented whilst still maintaining our commitment to ongoing evaluation and ethical risk assessments to ensure the well-being of Fatu.

We are so grateful for your continued and very generous support through 2023 and look forward to another impactful year with you.

Since the launch of this ambitious project to save the Northern White Rhino from extinction, Ol Pejeta, the BioRescuce team and the consortium of international scientists and conservationists have made noteworthy progress towards its aim. From a recent ovum pickup in May, a further 18 eggs were collected from Fatu resulting in 5 new embryos created. This is the highest number of embryos created from any single collection to date! To improve genetic diversity, the sperm for fertilisation came from two different bulls.

Alongside this collection, the consortium identified 2 more southern white rhino surrogates to include in the surrogacy programme. When ready, the surrogates will be used to carry the northern white embryos to term. Both females were examined and translocated into a safe enclosure. They will now be crucial in supporting the breeding efforts within the BioRescue project for the NWRs. 

The consortium members also checked the health status of the SWR teaser bull Ouwan and confirmed that he is still functionally sterilised. The teaser bull indicates by copulating with a female that a potential SWR surrogate mother is ready to receive an embryo. The bull must be sterilised, otherwise it makes no sense to perform an embryo transfer as the female would become pregnant with the bull’s sperm.

Najin & Fatu update

Gentle Najin is now the oldest living northern white rhino at 34 years of age, and mother to Fatu. Since retiring from the breeding programme in 2021 due to her age and medical concerns, Najin spends her days as an ambassador to her species, greeting visitors to the conservancy and starring in documentaries. She recently featured in National Geographic Photographer, Ami Vitale’s film “Remembering Sudan” which explored the future of the northern white rhino, and the attempts made to revive the species. Outside of her starring roles and hosting visitors from all over the world, Najin enjoys munching on straw with Fatu and bathing in mud baths that are lovingly created for her by her caretakers in the northern white rhino boma.

Feisty Fatu is now 23 years old and has grown up to be a charismatic and outgoing young rhino. She lives alongside her mother and southern white rhino companion Tauwo in the northern white rhino boma. In comparison to her relaxed and gentler mother, Fatu has a vibrant personality and loves to entertain visitors and caretakers with her antics. Over the past year, Fatu has continued to thrive under the watchful eye of her caregivers, and she never fails to brighten our days here at the conservancy.