Exploring the limits of saving a subspecies: The ethics and social dynamics of restoring northern white rhinos (Ceratotherium simum cottoni)

• Published in: Conservation science and practice Vol. 2; no. 8
• Main Authors: Ryder, Oliver A., Friese, Carrie, Greely, Henry T., Sandler, Ronald, Saragusty, Joseph, Durrant, Barbara S., Redford, Kent H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.08.2020; John Wiley & Sons, Inc; Wiley
• Subjects: 19th century; Biology; Ceratotherium; Ceratotherium simum cottoni; Conservation; Cryopreservation; Embryos; Endangered & extinct species; Ethics; Extinction; Females; genetic technologies; genomes; hope; In vitro fertilization; Infertility; National parks; northern white rhino; Poaching; Population; Reproductive technologies; saving species; Surrogate mothers; Zoo animals; Zoos
• ISSN: 2578-4854; 2578-4854
• DOI: 10.1111/csp2.241

The northern white rhino (Ceratotherium simum cottoni) is functionally extinct with only two females left alive. However, cryopreserved material from a number of individuals represents the potential to produce additional individuals using advanced reproductive and genetic rescue technologies and perhaps eventually a population to return to their native range. If this could and were done, how should it be done responsibly and thoughtfully. What issues and questions of a technical, bioethical, and societal nature will it raise that need to be anticipated and addressed? Such issues are explored in this article by an interdisciplinary team assembled to provide context to the northern white rhino project of the San Diego Zoo Global.