Three female rhinoceroses at Longleat Safari Park are making all the difference in the race to protect the endangered species.
Longleat is the first UK zoo to get involved in the project.
It is determined to help save this unique animal which is the second-largest land mammal.
It is attempting to save the sub-species which is down to two surviving individuals by getting a team of international scientists together.
The plan is also to use stem-cell associated techniques and the eggs collected from Longleat’s trio.
Longleat’s lead rhino keeper Leah Russell said: “The aim is to use eggs collected from our females, fertilise them in vitro, and then implant them into surrogate female southern white rhinos at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya.
“If this proves successful, they will then attempt implanting 12 pure northern rhino embryos, which have been fertilised with frozen sperm from deceased males, into southern surrogates.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here