By Leah Crabtree | Project Leader
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.
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