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25.08.2025 09:30

BioRescue scientists produced three new embryos and began embryo transfers

Steven Seet Unternehmenskommunikaton des Forschungsverbundes Berlin e.V.
Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V.

August 25, 2025 – The international BioRescue consortium has entered new grounds in its mission to save the northern white rhinoceros (NWR, Ceratotherium simum cottoni) from extinction. Since the beginning of the year, it has produced three additional northern white rhino embryos. Also, it initiated embryo transfers during which pure NWR embryos are transferred to surrogate southern white rhino mothers.

With only two surviving NWR females – Najin and her daughter Fatu – both unable to carry a pregnancy naturally, BioRescue is using cutting-edge assisted reproduction and stem cell technologies to restore the species.

On August 22, it was six years since the first collection of oocytes in Fatu and Najin at Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya. Since then, the BioRescue consortium led by the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW), Germany, and coordinated by Safari Park Dvůr Králové, Czechia, has conducted 21 oocyte collections from the northern white rhino female Fatu. Three of the collections were performed this year and yielded three new northern white rhino embryos that were produced in the Avantea laboratory in Italy. In total, the team has now produced 38 pure northern white rhino embryos.

In close cooperation with Kenya Wildlife Service and Wildlife Research and Training Institute, the team also recently started with embryo transfers using a pure northern white rhino embryo. Proof of concept was delivered at the end of the year 2023 when the BioRescue team achieved the first ever pregnancy in a rhinoceros after IVF with a southern white rhino embryo (please, see more information here). Following the establishment of a new surrogate group of rhinos, BioRescue conducted embryo transfer with a NWR embryo in July 2024, December 2024, and May 2025. Unfortunately, none of these attempts has led to a lasting pregnancy, although mucus development in the recipient uterus was observed after the December 2024transfer. However, subsequent analysis was inconclusive and did not confirm NWR DNA.

As with all procedures performed by the BioRescue team, the first embryo transfers with a pure NWR embryo underwent a detailed ethical evaluation by experts from the University of Padua, Italy, and had no negative health effects on the surrogate southern white mothers. The same applies to the northern white rhino female Fatu, whose ovarian health actually appears to have benefited from repeated procedures – a phenomenon referred to as Ovarian Cleansing Therapy.
The sixth anniversary of the first oocyte collection in Najin and Fatu also coincides with wider recognition of the BioRescue team’s efforts. On August 24, 2025, the National Geographic premiered the documentary The Last Rhinos: A New Hope, streaming now on Disney+ and Hulu. Award-winning National Geographic photographer Ami Vitale follows the team’s extraordinary journey at Ol Pejeta Conservancy and beyond, documenting the urgency, setbacks, and triumphs of producing the world’s first surrogate rhino pregnancy, while highlighting the deep bond between the rhinos and their caretakers. The film underscores that science is rarely linear – every egg retrieved, embryo produced, and attempt made is a vital step forward. Viewers will see how BioRescue’s blend of cutting-edge science, international collaboration, and profound dedication offers not only hope for the NWR but a blueprint for saving other species on the brink.

After the BioRescue team received a prize for the best research published in the journal Reproduction in the beginning of the year 2025 (please, see more here), the National Geographic documentary is another confirmation of truly global importance of the BioRescue efforts. The project has been funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), Czech foundation Nadace ČEZ, American entrepreneur Richard McLellan, Tull Family Foundation and many other generous supporters.

Alongside its work at Ol Pejeta and embryo production in Avantea, the BioRescue consortium is also advancing stem cell and ancient DNA technologies to increase the genetic diversity of the future founding population of the northern white rhino. Researchers at the University of Osaka and the Max Delbrück Center, Berlin, are focusing on the generation of functional oocytes derived from pluripotent stem cells. The ultimate goal of these efforts is the reintroduction of the northern white rhino to its original range.

Media Package

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https://hidrive.ionos.com/share/ko-3b1znov

Boilerplates

Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW)
The Leibniz-IZW is an internationally renowned German research institute of the Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V. and a member of the Leibniz Association. Our mission is to examine evolutionary adaptations of wildlife to global change and develop new concepts and measures for the conservation of biodiversity. To achieve this, our scientists use their broad interdisciplinary expertise from biology and veterinary medicine to conduct fundamental and applied research – from molecular to landscape level – in close dialogue with the public and stakeholders. Additionally, we are committed to unique and high-quality services for the scientific community.
www.izw-berlin.de
www.BioRescue.org

Safari Park Dvůr Králové
Safari Park Dvůr Králové is a safari park in the Czech Republic with the largest collection of African animals in Europe and with excellent results in their breeding. More than 5,500 African antelopes, approximately 800 zebras, almost 300 giraffes, or over 300 African wild dogs have been born in the park. It is also one of the best rhino breeders outside of Africa and the only place where the northern white rhino bred in human care - both remaining females, Najin and Fatu, were born here. Safari Park Dvůr Králové coordinates scientific efforts to save the northern white rhinos and repeatedly returned the black rhino and other African ungulates such as roan antelopes, sable antelopes, or addax to the wild spaces of Africa.
https://safaripark.cz/en/

Avantea
Avantea is a world leading laboratory of advanced technologies for biotechnology research and animal reproduction based in Cremona, Italy. It is the only laboratory that succeeded in generating viable rhinoceros embryos. Avantea has over twenty years of experience and the know-how in assisted reproduction of livestock developed through years of research conducted in the biomedical and animal reproduction fields.
www.avantea.it/en/

University of Padua
University of Padua in Italy is one of the oldest in the world, celebrating 800 years. Its Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science is developing leading research and education in the field of wildlife conservation and welfare with a special focus on ethical assessment and evaluation of research projects and educational programs developed by the Ethics Laboratory for Veterinary Medicine, Conservation and Animal Welfare.
https://www.unipd.it/en/
https://www.bca.unipd.it/en/

The University of Osaka
At the University of Osaka, we have been engaging with diverse stakeholders to discuss what our vision for future society should be and to clarify the mission of universities.
This process has generated a common understanding that now is the time for us to boldly address serious social issues, harness new knowledge, talent, and the latest technology, and, through a variety of social reforms, build a resilient and sustainable future society to empower "Life" and "Living." To realize this vision, it is incumbent upon universities as the highest academic institutions of learning to take leadership, and at the University of Osaka we have renewed our determination to create new value and outstanding human resources to actively take on the challenges of social transformation.
https://www.osaka-u.ac.jp/en

Max Delbrück Center
The Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (Max Delbrück Center) is one of the world’s leading biomedical research institutions. Max Delbrück, a Berlin native, was a Nobel laureate and one of the founders of molecular biology. At the locations in Berlin-Buch and Mitte, researchers from some 70 countries study human biology – investigating the foundations of life from its most elementary building blocks to systems-wide mechanisms. By understanding what regulates or disrupts the dynamic equilibrium of a cell, an organ, or the entire body, we can prevent diseases, diagnose them earlier, and stop their progression with tailored therapies. Patients should be able to benefit as soon as possible from basic research discoveries. This is why the Max Delbrück Center supports spin-off creation and participates in collaborative networks. It works in close partnership with Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin in the jointly-run Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC), the Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) at Charité, and the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK). Founded in 1992, the Max Delbrück Center today employs 1,800 people and is 90 percent funded by the German federal government and 10 percent by the State of Berlin.
https://www.mdc-berlin.de

Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Ol Pejeta Conservancy is the largest black rhino sanctuary in east Africa, and is the only place in Kenya to see chimpanzees. It is also home to the last two northern white rhinos on the planet. Ol Pejeta’s cutting-edge wildlife security includes a specialised K-9 unit, motion sensor cameras along its solar-powered electric fence, and a dedicated Rhino Protection Unit.
https://www.olpejetaconservancy.org/

Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI)
The Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI) is a body corporate established under the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act No. 47 of 2013 with the mandate to undertake and coordinate wildlife research and training. Its functions include conducting and coordinating all forms of wildlife research and related emerging issues in the wildlife sector; enhancing capacity in wildlife conservation and management through training; and granting permits for all wildlife scientific research.
https://wrti.go.ke/

Kenya Wildlife Service
Kenya Wildlife Service is the principal government institution that conserves and manages wildlife for Kenyans and the world. It also enforces related laws and regulations.
http://kws.go.ke/

Contacts

Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW)

Prof. Thomas Hildebrandt
BioRescue project head and head of Department of Reproduction Management
Phone: +49/305168440
Email: hildebrandt@izw-berlin.de

Dr. Frank Göritz
Leibniz-IZW head veterinarian and scientist in the Department of Reproduction Management
Phone: +49/305168444
Email: goeritz@izw-berlin.de

Dr. Susanne Holtze
Scientist in the Department of Reproduction Management
Phone: +49/305168436
Email: holtze@izw-berlin.de

Steven Seet
Strategic Communication
Scientist in the Department of Reproduction Management
Phone: +49/15224573519
Email: seet@izw-berlin.de

Safari Park Dvůr Králové
Jan Stejskal
BioRescue project coordinator and Director of International Projects
Phone: +420608009072
Email: jan.stejskal@zoodk.cz

Avantea
Prof. Cesare Galli
Director
Phone: +390 / 0372437242
Email: cesaregalli@avantea.it

University of Padua
Prof. Barbara de Mori
Director of the Ethics Laboratory for Veterinary Medicine, Conservation and Animal Welfare, Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science
Phone: +39-3403747666
Email: barbara.demori@unipd.it

The University of Osaka
Prof. Katsuhiko Hayashi
Head Department of Genome Biology,
Graduate School of Medicine
Phone: +81-6-6879-3900
Email: hayashik@gcb.med.osaka-u.ac.jp

Max Delbrück Center

Dr. Sebastian Diecke
Head Department Pluripotent Stem Cells
Phone: +49 30 9406-3090
Email: sebastian.diecke@mdc-berlin.de

Jana Schlütter
Editor and Deputy Head
Communications Department
Phone: +49 160-9561 2924
Email: jana.schluetter@mdc-berlin.de

Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)
Prof. Erustus Kanga, PhD, EBS
Director General
Phone: +254 (20) 2379407
Email: director@kws.go.ke; kws@kws.go.ke

Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI)
Dr. David Ndeereh
Deputy Director, Research
Phone: +254 722 556 380
Email: dndeereh@wrti.go.ke; david.ndeereh68@gmail.com

Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Prof. Geoffrey Wahungu
Chief Programs Officer
+254 722 717 169
geoffrey.wahungu@olpejetaconservancy.org

Philippa Beach
Chief Fundraising Officer
Phone: +44 7837 572 876
Email: philippa.beach@olpejetaconservancy.org

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Wissenschaftliche Ansprechpartner:

Prof Dr Thomas B Hildebrandt

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Embryo transfer in Southern White Rhino surrogate mother
Quelle: Rio Marvin
Copyright: Rio Marvin/BioRescue

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