A Frozen Hope for the Future

The assisted reproduction technology of artificial insemination may be able to help save a species of White Rhinoceros according to studies conducted at the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife research in Berlin. White rhinos are one of the largest land roaming animals, and their weight can exceed 6000 pounds with their length reaching a staggering 14 feet. While only considered ‘near threatened’, there are only possibly four individuals left in the wild, with eight individuals inhabiting zoo’s world wide. This new development could become crucial in rebuilding the population to a more substantial size.

Lulu, the pregnant female, had conceived a baby named Layla through artificial insemination from using fresh sperm from a male rhino that lives with her in Budapest. The sperm donor for the frozen sample, Simba, is a 38 year old rhino from Colchester, UK. The sperm, which was highly vital for his age, was taken at age 35, and was stored for three year with liquid nitrogen at minus 196 degrees Celsius. A new deep-freezing technology, which is very useful in wild life made this possible. The sperm was then thawed and planted deep inside Lulu’s uterus by specialists, using a non-surgical procedure developed by the IZW. Soon after, hormonal analysis showed that Lulu was experiencing signs of pregnancy, which was verified by performing an ultrasound.

Dr. Robert Hermes of IZW says, “The result is enormously important for the conservation of rhinos”. The hope is that sperm could be taken from free ranging rhinos, and with it frozen, could be of use later. Those rhinos still remaining in the wild are at risk of predation particular from poachers. However, the current task is to ensure that Lulu remains healthy throughout her gestation, which lasts between 16-18 months, and results in a baby calf of close to one hundred pounds. Although she is not due for over a year, some suggested baby names have included “Cool” and “Frozen”.

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