![]() ![]() The Frozen Zoo houses more than 10,000 cell cultures, eggs, sperm, and embryos representing nearly 1,000 types of organisms. But genomes from stored rhino cells at the San Diego Frozen Zoo may rejuvenate at least a small founding population. When the last male northern white rhinoceros, Sudan, died from an infection on March 19 at age 45 at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya, only Najin and her daughter Fatu were left, and they’ve been unable to have offspring. Sudan, the last northern white rhino, posing with a Bollywood actress in healthier times, 2015. Steiner, from the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research and director of the study. ![]() “Our study demonstrates the emerging role for whole genome sequencing analysis to evaluate the potential for population recovery,” said Cynthia C. Such efforts may appear to be too late for the brink-of-extinction northern white rhino, but results of a new study published in Genome Research offer hope: genome sequences of nine northern white rhinos reveal a genetic diversity that may provide a way to save them. The Rhino Rescue Project captures rhinos, injects dye into their horns, then releases them, the stain rendering the appendage less desirable to hunters. Tracking devices on the animals detect an increase in heart rate when danger approaches, like a FitBit wearer encountering a dog that’s sprung it’s invisible fence.Ī concoction of rhino keratin (the protein that forms the horn) made in recombinant yeast and rhino DNA (to mark its authenticity) offers a substitute that may keep poachers away. ![]() We need to take ownership of this issue as Africans and to make sure we act before it is too late.People are taking eclectic approaches to saving rhinos from poachers. “For too long conservation has been seen here a something white people do but now the young generation feel very strongly that this is for us to deal with. In Kenya Kahumbu said people were ready to fight. Now it is a matter of acting on that knowledge before it is too late.” “We are aware of it, we know what causes it and to some extent we know what the solutions are. This is not just a threat to other species this is a threat directly to our survival as humans too.”īutfield said the growing recognition that we are living through an extinction crisis did offer some hope. “Through the current economic system and globalisation we are taking up more of the earth’s resources and living space than it can accommodate. ![]() “The fact that this is in the news suggests there is a wider cultural feeling of regret and care about this from so many people who have never seen – and probably never expect to see – a white rhino, and that is heartening in that it shows that people care.īut he said the death was part of a “much wider and deeper issue” – the huge loss of other species. Last night that hope was echoed by Prof Ted Benton from the University of Essex, an environmental social scientist and member of the Red-Green study group. “One day, his demise will hopefully be seen as a seminal moment for conservationists worldwide.” “He was a great ambassador for his species and will be remembered for the work he did to raise awareness globally of the plight facing not only rhinos, but also the many thousands of other species facing extinction as a result of unsustainable human activity. “We on Ol Pejeta are all saddened by Sudan’s death,” said Richard Vigne, Ol Pejeta’s chief executive. The rhino was unable to stand and was visibly suffering. The veterinary team said they had decided to put Sudan to sleep after his condition worsened over the weekend, leaving him with bad skin wounds. But there was nothing mean about him,” said Elodie Sampere, a representative for Ol Pejeta. “He was a gentle giant, his personality was just amazing and given his size, a lot of people were afraid of him. He had been moved to Dvůr Králové zoo in the Czech Republic in the 1970s before being returning to Africa, where according to those who worked in the Ol Pejeta conservancy, “he stole the heart of many with his dignity and strength”. Since then the northern white rhino was one of several sub species that has been pushed to the brink of extinction. But due to poaching – driven by the trade in Rhino horn – and habitat loss, that figure had fallen to 70,000 by 1970. Now we must stand up and demand action – take action – to prevent the same thing happening to cheetah, elephants, black rhinos, giraffes – we must take ownership of this as Africans and educate people.”Ībout half a million rhinos roamed in Africa and Asia in 1900. “We did not do enough to save this majestic species. “The outpouring of grief from Kenyans, especially the younger generation, who woke up to hear that Sudan was dead this morning is a powerful reminder that we must never allow this to happen again.” In Kenya Paula Kahumbu, director of the Wildlife Direct charity, said the news of Sudan’s death had hit people hard. ![]()
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