Scientists say they have sufficient genetic material to recover the northern white rhino. But that does not mean it will be an easy process.

Just two northern white rhinos remain on the planet. Both of them are female, named Najin and her daughter Fatu. The last male, Sudan, died in 2018.

Researchers at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance in California examined skin cells extracted from 12 distinct northern white rhinos preserved in their Frozen Zoo. Using a computer model, they simulated the outcome of utilizing the genetic material from these rhinos to produce sperm and egg cells. What next? The cells, transformed into embryos, could be carried by a closely related subspecies, the southern white rhino (Ceratotherium simum simum).

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Frozen skin cells could save the Northern White Rhino, say researchers - Interesting Engineering

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