In August, ten eggs were removed from the two last surviving northern stubborn rhinos, during a risky procedure when both were anesthetized for almost two hours. The last male died in 2018, but the sperm of other males had been frozen and saved.

The eggs were fertilized in a laboratory in Italy and on Wednesday the researchers announced that two of the eggs have been fertilized and that two embryos have been created.

Since neither of the two remaining females is judged to be able to give birth to calves, the next step is to insert the eggs into the uterus of a female of the close relative of the south earlobe, which will act as surrogate mama.

Calf can be born in the spring

Allan Carlson at WWF says that researchers have previously tested and succeeded in inserting test-tube fertilized eggs into a southern stubborn rhino. Therefore, there is now good hope that a northern calf can be born this spring.

- The researchers are very optimistic. You know the technology and have succeeded in the first steps.

During the day, Allan Carlson has been in contact with the reserve Oi Pejeta in Kenya, where the last two females live and which he has previously visited. He says the employees were very happy.

- This is important for days when talking about the extinction of so many species. We need small wins and big wins, says Allan Carlson.