Genetics versus poachers: scientists want to revive northern white rhinos

The whole world mourned the last male of this subspecies named Sudan, and it seemed that the subspecies was doomed. Only two females survived, which, moreover, are related to each other by their closest relatives, which does not inspire optimism in terms of genetic diversity. The subspecies is doomed to extinction, but enthusiasts do not give up and continue to look for ways out of this situation, trying to change the fate of rhinos.

White rhinos live exclusively in Africa and form 2 isolated populations, northern and southern. But if the situation with the southern subspecies is more or less favorable, there are about 20 thousand, then the northern subspecies have fallen victim to political instability in their habitats. South Sudan, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic were the main countries inhabited by representatives of this subspecies. But subsequent political upheavals and military clashes made this region unsuitable for the life of white rhinos. In the absence of a clear environmental public policy, poaching has reached incredible proportions. When, finally, the scientists sounded the alarm, nothing could be done. In zoos around the world there were only a few individuals who almost did not bring offspring in unnatural conditions.

But what is the difference between these two subspecies? Why is it impossible to populate the former habitats of southern white rhinos and thus revive the population, because from a genetic point of view this is one species of animal?

There is still a difference between the northern and southern rhinos of this species, and that is why they were singled out as separate subspecies, and not just because of differences in habitat. The sizes of the northern rhinos are slightly larger than the southern ones, and they have a thicker hairline. In addition, biologists point out significant differences in the behavior of the two subspecies. White rhinos were divided into two isolated groups at least 500 thousand years ago and after that did not contact each other.

Despite the fact that only two rhino survived, biologists do not intend to give up. Najin and her daughter Fatou are direct descendants of the male Sudan and are now in Kenya. Specialists took genetic material from them for the restoration program of the northern subspecies. In addition, they have at their disposal the seed material of two males nicknamed Suni and South, which was taken several years ago. Scientists hope that this material will serve as the basis for the revival of the subspecies, however, it will still have to resort to the help of females of the southern subspecies, since neither Nadzhin nor Fatou will be able to transfer pregnancy and give birth to a baby due to health problems. Just yesterday, scientists reported that under laboratory conditions it was possible to carry out the fertilization procedure of eggs taken from Fatou and Nadzhin. Biologists believe that this will be the first step towards a revival of the northern population.

But what awaits the animals next? Are people ready for the return of these rhinos to nature? After all, animal horns are still more expensive than precious metals, and the demand for them is very high. Moreover, poachers are willing to risk their own lives for the extraction of rhino horn and its further sale on the black market. And until the problem of poaching, including in the reserves, is resolved, it’s premature to talk about saving the exterminated animals. In this sense, the experience of the Kaziranga park, which we already wrote about in our material, can be quite useful.