In 1977, a hybrid rhino named Nasi was born in the zoo, marking a rare scientific event.
In the world of wildlife, the birth of a hybrid is always a surprise, but for Nasi, a rhino born in 1977 at the Dvůr Králové Zoo in the Czech Republic, the event had even greater significance.
Nasi is the offspring of a female northern white rhinoceros and a male southern white rhinoceros, making him the only known hybrid between the two subspecies.
Nasi's existence has provided a precious ray of hope to scientists who are trying to save the northern white rhino from extinction, with only two females left.
In vitro fertilization and the first steps
One of the most groundbreaking efforts to save the northern white rhino is the BioRescue project, a scientific initiative that uses in vitro fertilization (IVF) technology.
In 2023, for the first time in the world, scientists successfully transferred a lab-created rhino embryo into a surrogate mother.
Although Curra, the surrogate rhino, tragically passed away, a post-mortem examination revealed that the 70-day-old fetus had developed successfully. This success, while regrettable, proved the feasibility of the IVF procedure.
Now, BioRescue's next goal is to repeat the process, using eggs from Fatu, one of the last two northern white rhinos, to fertilize.
Fatu is the only individual healthy enough to undergo the egg retrieval procedure, and scientists are hoping to use these embryos to create the next generation of northern white rhinos.
However, an important question remains: Can a southern white rhinoceros successfully gestate and give birth to a northern white rhinoceros?
Nasi and the priceless lessons of survival
This is where Nasi’s story becomes even more valuable. Nasi’s birth has given scientists a degree of confidence that a southern white rhino can impregnate a northern white rhino.
“We don’t know if there are any barriers, but what we do know is that there is a hybrid between a southern white rhino and a northern white rhino. This gives hope that the southern white rhino would be an ideal surrogate mother,” said Jan Stejskal, BioRescue project coordinator.
Although Nasi was in relatively poor health and did not reproduce, her survival to adulthood provided convincing evidence that this breeding process was viable.
To ensure the genetic survival of future generations, BioRescue has partnered with Colossal Biosciences.
Matt James, Colossal's Animal Director, explains that they are using cutting-edge technology to analyze the genetic history of the northern white rhino, comparing that data with living individuals and preserved cell samples.
In this way, they can identify important genes that have been lost over time and restore them through gene editing. This will help increase the genetic diversity of the new population, ensuring that they not only survive, but are as healthy and adaptable as possible.
From a unique hybrid born by chance to a multi-pronged approach to saving one of Central Africa's most iconic creatures, Nasi's story is a powerful testament to the perseverance and progress of conservation science.
Hopefully, with these efforts, we will soon hear the footsteps of northern white rhino calves, bringing hope for the recovery of a species on the brink of extinction.