Can science revive dead rhinos? The answer may shock you

Source: Wikipedia
Scientists in the UK have revived living cells from a southern white rhino that died in 2021, offering new hope for conservation efforts. This breakthrough, reported by the BBC, was achieved by Nature's SAFE, a Shropshire-based charity. They successfully cultured millions of cells from a preserved skin sample taken before the rhino's death. This pioneering work could allow scientists to create new egg or sperm cells, helping to restore endangered populations. The technique, already proven in mice, marks a major step forward in protecting species like the southern white rhino and others at risk of extinction.
A new discovery of rhino revival from dead to new life
According to a BBC report, a skin sample taken from a rhino that died in 2021 is now offering fresh hope for conservation which has only become possible because of the pioneering efforts by a UK wildlife charity.
The southern white rhino which lived at Whipsnade Zoo passed away at the age of 40. In the wake of its death, the veterinary staff collaborated with three specialist organizations to preserve tissue samples. Now, Nature's SAFE which is a conservation charity based in Whitchurch, Shropshire, has successfully cultivated millions of living cells from that sample.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
"I Had A Dad Bod - Until I Did This'
Apex Labs
Undo
Rhino's revival discovery: a significant step to development
This development represents a significant step toward a groundbreaking technique that may one day allow scientists to create viable egg or sperm cells from preserved rhino tissue, offering a new path for reviving endangered populations. Although the rhino died in 2021, new technology could allow her genetic material to support the southern white rhino population for generations to come. Before her death, conservation charity Nature's SAFE collected a skin sample from her ear while she was still alive. The cells were carefully frozen at –196°C, with the goal of preserving them long-term. Scientists hope that once melted, the cells can be revived and multiplied to produce new cell lines.
A representative from the charity explained that while the process may seem like something out of science fiction, similar techniques have already been successful in mice ,showing promising potential for helping other species reproduce.
Expert's efforts for Rhino revival from dead to new life
In April, the team carefully took the rhino's frozen cells out of storage and brought them back to room temperature. Even though the rhino died nearly four years ago, they were able to grow new cells from the sample. Lab technician Lucy Morgan, who helped make it happen, said that the cells still carry the rhino's living DNA and can now be used to help protect the species, even though the animal is no longer alive. Nature's SAFE, which is also known as the "bio bank" has collected and preserved biological material from 300 different animal species — including 37 that are critically endangered and four that no longer exist in the wild.
Goal of Nature's SAFE for Rhino's new life from dead
The organization's goal is to help prevent animal extinction by protecting genetic diversity. It supports advanced reproductive technologies like artificial insemination and IVF to help maintain and rebuild strong, healthy wildlife populations. Debbie Rolmanis, the chief operations officer, explained: 'By collecting and growing skin cells from endangered animals, we're creating a living library of genetic material. This resource could one day help boost the genetic health of struggling species and stop them from disappearing.' She added that skin cells are especially useful because they're easy to collect and can be reproduced endlessly. Unlike other resources, they aren't limited, making them a powerful and reliable way to preserve an animal's DNA in working condition.
Tullis Matson, founder and chair of the charity, shared his excitement about successfully reviving the rhino's cells, calling it a potential breakthrough for conservation. 'This is a major step forward,' he said. 'We've now shown that the rhino's cells are still alive and usable nearly four years after her death.' He explained that this achievement could be vital for saving other critically endangered animals — such as the mountain chicken frog and the Lake Pátzcuaro salamander — that might otherwise face extinction. Thanks to advances in bio-banking, their survival is now more possible than ever.
Also read:
Black Holes explained: Unraveling the facts of space's cosmic mystery

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

NDTV

an hour ago

• NDTV

SpaceX Launches Dog's Ashes To Space On Memorial Flight

A dog's ashes were among the remains sent into space this weekend as part of a memorial mission honouring loved ones by carrying them beyond Earth's atmosphere. Franz, a beloved family Labrador, was among 166 small capsules launched aboard the inaugural Perseverance SpaceX Flight by Texas-based Celestis Inc. The mission lifted off Sunday around 5:30 pm from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara, California. Franz died aged 13 in October 2020. "He was the best dog, just so soft and nice and loved hugs," said the dog's owner Harvin Moore. The pet was more like a sibling to Mr Moore's children, Elizabeth and Quinn. "Now we can't wait to watch our good boy go galactic," he told The NY Post ahead of the launch. The flight lasted about three hours, during which the capsules orbited Earth twice. The rocket then re-entered the atmosphere and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean somewhere between Alaska and Hawaii. A recovery ship, stationed at sea ahead of time, tracked and retrieved the capsules before sending them to Germany for processing. Within two months, the remains will be returned to their families. The cost to send each capsule into space was $3,500 (over Rs 3 lakh). For Franz's owner, the expense was "a lot more" than the dog's value, but entirely worth it for his family of space enthusiasts. Mr Moore said, "The emotional power of being with a group of people who are celebrating the life of a loved one in this way ... it's amazing. It's nothing we'll ever forget. It's just pure joy." Houston-based Celestis has a long history of sending DNA and cremated remains of people, pets, and celebrities into space using rockets like United Launch Alliance's Vulcan Centaur. Their missions have carried iconic figures such as "Star Trek" legends Nichelle Nichols, DeForest Kelley, Gene Roddenberry and his wife Majel Barrett Roddenberry, and James "Scotty" Doohan. They also flew Douglas Trumbull, a visual effects pioneer behind 2001: A Space Odyssey and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, along with symbolic remains of four former US presidents, George Washington, Dwight D Eisenhower, John F Kennedy, and Ronald Reagan, on last year's deep-space Enterprise Flight. Each capsule, crafted from titanium or aluminium and measuring roughly a quarter to half an inch, contained either DNA or cremated remains. These precious capsules orbited Earth twice aboard a 23-foot-tall SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, travelling at a speed of almost 28,000 kmph in low Earth orbit. Charles Chafer, Celestis CEO and co-founder said Saturday, "Many people whose ashes and DNA are flying are people that always wanted to go to space in their lifetime but were never able to do that. It also helps families move from feelings of grief to joy." Also aboard the Perseverance Flight were the ashes of Wesley Dreyer, an aerospace engineer involved in investigating the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, as well as the DNA of a living three-year-old boy in Germany.

Business Standard

an hour ago

• Business Standard

Eli Lilly's weekly insulin efsitora shows positive results in Phase 3

US-based pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly on Monday announced findings from the Phase 3 clinical trials for its once-weekly investigational insulin drug, efsitora alfa (efsitora), indicating positive safety and efficacy results for A1C reduction compared to daily basal insulin. While basal insulin is a long-acting insulin administered once or twice a day, efsitora is designed for once-weekly subcutaneous injection. The company also shared detailed results from the Phase 3 QWINT-1, QWINT-3 and QWINT-4 trials. The QWINT-1 trial evaluated adults initiating insulin therapy, while QWINT-3 assessed individuals previously using daily basal insulin. QWINT-4 included participants using both basal and mealtime insulin. 'In each study, efsitora met the primary endpoint of non-inferior A1C reduction compared to daily basal insulin,' the company stated. According to Lilly, in QWINT-1, efsitora reduced A1C by 1.31 per cent compared to 1.27 per cent for insulin glargine at week 52 for the efficacy estimand. In QWINT-3, the drug reduced A1C by 0.86 per cent compared to 0.75 per cent for insulin degludec at week 26. 'In QWINT-4, efsitora reduced A1C by 1.07 per cent, matching insulin glargine's reduction of 1.07 per cent at week 26 for the efficacy estimand,' Lilly added. The Phase 3 global clinical development programme for the diabetes drug began in 2022 and included over 3,000 participants with type 2 diabetes across four global registration studies. Commenting on the results, Jeff Emmick, senior vice president of product development at Lilly, said that the once-weekly insulin therapy may offer a significant advancement for people with type 2 diabetes who need insulin, by eliminating over 300 injections a year. The company added that the drug also has the potential to provide more stable glucose levels—reducing glucose variability—throughout the week. Eli Lilly now plans to submit the drug to global regulatory agencies for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in adults by the end of 2026.

India Today

2 hours ago

• India Today

Andhra woman becomes first Indian to complete Nasa program, to go to space in 2029

Dangeti Jahnavi from Palakollu in Andhra Pradesh's West Godavari district is set to travel to space in 2029. A graduate in Electronics and Communication Engineering, Jahnavi holds the distinction of being the first Indian to successfully complete NASA's prestigious International Air and Space has been selected to travel to the Titan's Orbital Port Space Station, a US-based project slated for inauguration in the next four space enthusiast completed her undergraduate studies at Lovely Professional University in Punjab, after finishing her Intermediate education in her hometown of Palakollu. Her parents, Srinivas and Padmasri, currently reside in Kuwait for work. Jahnavi is known for her active engagement in the field of STEM education and space outreach. She has delivered talks for ISRO's educational programs and addressed students at premier institutions including National Institutes of Technology (NITs) across the country. She also regularly takes part in analog missions, deep-sea diving, and global conferences related to planetary science and sustainability in long-duration space contributions to the International Astronomical Search Collaboration led to a provisional asteroid discovery, based on data from the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS). She was also the youngest foreign analog astronaut and the first Indian chosen for Space Iceland's geology the years, Jahnavi has been recognised with numerous accolades including the People's Choice Award at the NASA Space Apps Challenge and the ISRO World Space Week Young Achiever Award.- Ends IN THIS STORY#Andhra Pradesh