IVF hope as White Rhinos near extinction

Scientists have turned to drastic measures in the hope of saving critically endangered White Rhinos from extinction.

White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) (AAP/Mary Evans/Ardea/M. Watson) | NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

White Rhinoceros (File: AAP)

At a zoo in the Czech Republic, one of the last remaining White Rhinos known to man is living out his days alone.

Poachers have driven the rare species to the brink of extinction, with just five left in captivity, and none in the wild.

Keepers at the zoo have gone to extraordinary lengths to encourage more offspring, including repeated attempts at artificial insemination.

But repeated attempts have failed, and procedures must be carefully administered, because of the risks of harming the creature.

Scientists have now been called in, in a last-ditch effort to keep the species alive.

They're looking at IVF options and, if that doesn't work -- saving tissue samples that could potentially be used to bring back the white rhino even after the last remaining creatures die out.




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