EFFORTS TO SAVE THE NORTHERN WHITE RHINO
Recently, there have been several exciting developments in Ol Pejeta. Many sources of international press have focused on the work being done to save the last northern white rhinos from extinction. Only two females remain, a mother and daughter (Najin and Fatu), and ground-breaking science is being carried out to produce embryos using eggs from these rhinos, fertilized by sperm collected from now-deceased males. The embryos are expected to be carried to term in due course by surrogate southern white rhinos. This story (along with the impact of poaching and the conservation work of Ol Pejeta) made the cover of the New York Times magazine on January 6th.
Ol Pejeta recently sent out a press release confirming that there are now a total of 5 embryos. The UK’s Guardian newspaper is expected to run with this and it should make news internationally. The press release is available here.
EXPANDING RHINO HABITAT SURROUNDING OL PEJETA CONSERVANCY
There is hope that in the long-term, the northern white rhinos will be able to make use of the vast habitat that Ol Pejeta is working to expand. Initially, their large population of eastern black rhinos will be the beneficiaries, but if the 225,000-hectare (556,000 acres) corridor goes to plan, there will be plentiful habitat for hundreds of more rhinos.
“David Houghton with Northern White Rhinos,” Vanessa Stephen, WildLandscapes International
Banner photo by Ol Pejeta