22th April 2026
BioRescue Consortium
Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya
Kenya Wildlife Service, Wildlife Research and Training Institute, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW), Safari Park Dvůr Králové, Avantea, Padua University.
New embryo boosts survival chances for the Northern White Rhino
The BioRescue Consortium has made progressive strides in its mission to save the Northern White Rhino from imminent extinction. At the beginning of 2026, scientists successfully conducted an oocyte (egg cell) pick up procedure from the Northern White Rhino female Fatu in Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya, consequently yielding one new Northern White Rhino embryo. This brings the total number of pure Northern White Rhino embryos produced so far to 39, boosting our hopes for the future of this imperiled subspecies.
With only two females left on Earth, the Northern White Rhino is functionally extinct from a natural breeding standpoint, leaving its fate in the hands of cutting edge assisted reproduction and innovative stem cell technologies to restore the species. In the second half of 2025, the team of experts from the Kenya Wildlife Service, Wildlife Research and Training Institute, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW), Safari Park Dvůr Králové, Avantea, and Padua University successfully conducted three Northern White Rhino embryo transfers into Southern White Rhino surrogate mothers at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in the hope of a pregnancy down the line. Unfortunately none of these attempts have turned into a long term pregnancy. To enhance chances of achieving a pregnancy in the foreseeable future, two new proven southern white rhino females have also been introduced into the programme as potential surrogate mothers.
The BioRescue Consortium’s work has also received notable international recognition earlier this year. On 26 January 2026, Prof. Dr. Thomas B. Hildebrandt, the leader of the BioRescue Project at Leibniz-IZW, was honoured with the inaugural “Smart Wildlife Conservation Award” in Stockholm, Sweden. Prof. Hildebrandt was recognised for his “exceptional dedication and outstanding achievements to save endangered species” and for a commitment that has made “significant impact on smart wildlife conservation.” The award highlights not only Prof. Hildebrandt’s leadership, but also the collaborative scientific efforts behind the BioRescue Consortium and the growing international belief that innovative science can offer real hope for species on the brink of extinction.
A newly published BioRescue study has also underlined the importance of public engagement, communication, and ethical reflection in the future of conservation science. Published in PLOS ONE in February 2026, the paper Perceptions of assisted reproductive technologies in wildlife conservation: Public expectations and ethical implications across three EU countries examined public views in The Czech Republic, Germany, and Italy, and found broad support for the use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in wildlife conservation when used alongside established approaches such as habitat protection and zoo-based conservation. The study further showed that respondents regarded ethical oversight and animal welfare as essential, while also highlighting the need for stronger public communication about the wider drivers of species decline, including the rhinoceros crisis. These findings reinforce BioRescue’s conviction that the future of conservation depends not only on scientific innovation, but also on transparency, public dialogue, and ethically responsible implementation.
While significant strides have been made, this project has demonstrated that science is not always linear – with different setbacks, and obstacles on the path to success. In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) in rhinos is a complicated procedure that has never been tried before. Therefore, the project has been a learning curve for everyone involved. Despite the challenges, the team remains positive and continues to learn from the journey as we go forward. The team is cognisant that it took more than 100 attempts for IVF in humans to succeed, and that as of April 2026, the BioRescue Consortium had only conducted six embryo transfers. The team remains focussed on success and setting a solid foundational blueprint for saving other species on the brink of extinction.
Digital assets
Visuals assets can be downloaded on the link below:
NWR 2026 H1 press kit
Publication
Biasetti P, Hildebrandt T, Seet S, Stejskal J, Giardullo P, Göritz F, Holtze S, Galli C, Šťastný M, de Mori B (2026): Perceptions of assisted reproductive technologies in wildlife conservation: Public expectations and ethical implications across three EU countries. PLOS ONE. PONE-D-25-30141R2. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0342094
Media Contacts:
Guyo Adhi
Director of Communications and Marketing, Ol Pejeta Conservancy
guyo.adhi@olpejetaconservancy.org
+254 701 928 662
Jan Stejskal
Director of International Projects, Safari Park Dvůr Králové
jan.stejskal@zoodk.cz
+420 608 009 072
Steven Seet
Head Unit Strategic Communication, Scientist, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research
seet@izw-berlin.de
+49 1522 457 35 19
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.
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.
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/
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 returns the black rhino and other African ungulates such as roan antelopes, sable antelopes, or addax to the wild spaces of Africa.
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
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.
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.