Wednesday, December 10th, 2014
For Immediate Release

Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Elodie Sampere, +254 / 727 341 612
elodie.sampere@olpejetaconservancy.org

Dvur Kralove Zoo
Jan Stejskal, +420 / 608 009 072
jan.stejskal@zoodk.cz

(Nanyuki - Kenya) - Artificial techniques of reproduction could provide the last chance of survival for the world’s most endangered mammal – the northern white rhino. This conclusion from veterinary experts comes as a much-needed ray of hope to those involved in the conservation of the animals, both in Europe, the United States, and in Kenya – where three of the world’s last remaining six now live.

Following the death of the last fertile northern white male in Ol Pejeta Conservancy earlier this year, experts from the Dvur Kralove Zoo in the Czech Republic, the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research in Germany and the Kenya Wildlife Service gathered in Laikipia, Kenya to carry out health checks on the remaining three rhinos. Dvur Kralove Zoo was home to Najin, Fatu, Suni and Sudan until 2009 – when a bold decision was made to move them to Ol Pejeta Conservancy in the hope that natural conditions would be more conducive to reproduction. Various copulations between the northern whites have been witnessed by their keepers, and even a mating between a southern white male and one of the northern white females, but nothing has come to fruition. It is clear that five years on, and with the sudden death of Suni, more drastic action is going to have to be taken if this species stands any chance of survival.

Despite concerns over age and physical condition, the three rhinos were successfully anaesthetised. Examinations of the two females showed that neither is capable of natural reproduction. Sadly, the younger rhino Fatu has degenerative lesions in the uterus, but there is still hope that her mother, Najin, could conceive. Her reproductive organs are in good health, but her weak hind legs make it difficult for her to support a mounted male, and could also cause complications during the added weight of pregnancy. Samples from the male, Sudan, showed a low sperm count, with low motility and some morphological abnormality. This does not rule out using his sperm for in vitro fertilisation however.

“We have provided the northern white rhinos with the best possible conditions for natural mating. However, recent death of the last male that was capable of reproduction and current health-state of the remaining three individuals lead to a situation in which the committee of experts in charge of this programme will now need to explore suitable options of artificial reproduction” said Richard Vigne, CEO of Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

Artificial techniques of reproduction do not come without risks, but experts believe that all other options have now been exhausted – and time is running out. The committee overseeing the project will now discuss the findings from the vet tests and agree on the best way forward.

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About Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Ol Pejeta Conservancy occupies approximately 360 square kilometers of African savannah within the Laikipia District of Kenya and incorporates the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Laikipia carries large and growing wildlife populations and is home to almost 50% of Kenya's black rhino population. The Ol Pejeta Conservancy works to conserve wildlife, provide a sanctuary for great apes and to generate income through wildlife tourism and complementary enterprise for reinvestment in conservation and community development. www.olpejetaconservancy.org

About Dvur Kralove Zoo
Dvur Kralove Zoo, Czech Republic, has been one of the most successful breeders of African ungulates in the world since the late 1970s. It is the only animal park where the northern white rhino has ever bred in captivity (four calves). In total, more than 50 rhinos (four species), 250 giraffes, 800 zebras and 4,250 antelopes have been born in the zoo so far. Currently the zoo breeds over 40 species of large African ungulates, all of them are of known genetic origin. One of the main tasks of the Dvur Kralove Zoo is to provide suitable specimens for in situ projects aimed at returning animals to their natural habitats, especially in Africa. www.zoodvurkralove.cz/en/

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