Indonesian officials are preparing to capture the last-known wild Bornean rhino to initiate an in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) program, according to a government official. The effort targets the survival of the Bornean subspecies, as only two female individuals—Pahu and Pari—are known to exist globally. The mission aims to cross-breed the Bornean rhino with the larger Sumatran rhino to preserve the Bornean genetic line.
Why this mission is critical for the species
The Bornean rhino, a subspecies of the Sumatran rhino, faces imminent extinction with only two known survivors. Pahu, currently held in the Kelian rhino sanctuary, is approximately 40 years old and suffers from health complications that have hindered previous egg extraction attempts, according to Ari Wibawanto, head of the provincial conservation agency in East Kalimantan. Because natural mating is likely ineffective due to the size difference between Sumatran and Bornean rhinos, officials are turning to laboratory fertilisation. This strategy follows a 2024 success in Germany, where scientists conducted a world-first IVF procedure on a southern white rhino, providing a potential blueprint for saving the Bornean line.
What are the risks of the capture and transport?
Translocating rhinos is a high-stakes procedure with a history of fatalities in Indonesia. Last year, a Javan rhino died shortly after a translocation attempt due to suspected preexisting health conditions. In 2016, a Sumatran rhino died following a relocation after sustaining injuries from a poaching trap. To mitigate these dangers, Ari Wibawanto stated that his team has spent months conducting simulations using cattle of similar size to Pari. The agency has revised its procedures to minimize stress, technical errors, and health risks during the upcoming operation in the Kutai Kartanegara regency.
What could happen next?
If the capture of the wild rhinoceros is successful, the animal will be airlifted to a specialized facility for monitoring, according to the provincial conservation agency. The next phase involves extracting egg cells for fertilization with Sumatran rhino sperm in a laboratory setting. If this process proves successful, the agency may utilize a surrogate to carry the pregnancy to term. Additionally, officials are exploring the possibility of a cloning program by collecting skin and gum samples from the remaining rhinos. These efforts are underscored by data from the International Rhino Foundation, which estimates that fewer than 50 Javan and 50 Sumatran rhinos remain in the wild.
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