How Cloning & IVF Are Bringing Back Lost & Endangered Animals | The Resurrection Quest - Ep 2/4

Key Concepts

Extinction, de-extinction, cloning, assisted reproductive technologies (ART), in vitro fertilization (IVF), surrogate mothers, ecosystem engineering, biodiversity conservation, ethical considerations, passenger pigeons, Northern White Rhinos, Pleistocene Park, megafauna, ecosystem restoration, sperm/oocyte collection, embryo transfer, genetic diversity, social learning, cryopreservation, biobanking.

Northern White Rhino Conservation

The Crisis

The Northern White Rhino is functionally extinct, with only two infertile females remaining: Najin and Fatu. This poses a significant threat to the ecosystem, as the species plays a crucial role in maintaining its stability. The effort to save them is not just a scientific exercise but a vital attempt to restore a keystone species.

Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)

A team of veterinarians and researchers is employing advanced ART techniques to create Northern White Rhino embryos using:

• Oocyte Collection: Harvesting oocytes (eggs) from Najin and Fatu. This is a challenging procedure due to the location of the ovaries and the age of the rhinos. A custom-designed ultrasound-guided probe is used for transrectal oocyte retrieval. Fatu has yielded 17 oocyte collections.
• Sperm Collection: Utilizing cryopreserved sperm from deceased Northern White Rhino bulls (approximately 300 mL of semen from four different bulls are stored). Electroejaculation is used for sperm collection, with a specialized probe developed for rhinos.
• In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): Fertilizing the collected oocytes with the cryopreserved sperm in a laboratory (Avantea in Italy). Dr. Cesare Galli developed the protocol for White Rhino embryo production.
• Embryo Transfer: Implanting the resulting embryos into surrogate Southern White Rhino females in Kenya.

Challenges and Progress

• Limited Genetic Material: The project relies on a small number of individuals, reducing genetic diversity. Biomaterial from 12 individuals is stored in a biobank.
• Surrogate Mothers: Southern White Rhinos are used as surrogate mothers.
• Logistics: Transporting oocytes from Kenya to Italy within 24 hours for fertilization is logistically demanding.
• Ethical Considerations: Concerns were raised about experimentation on the last individuals of a species.
• Successes: Approximately 30 Northern White Rhino embryos have been created and cryopreserved. This proves that creating embryos is possible.

Future Steps

• Carefully selecting embryos for transfer into surrogate mothers.
• Aiming to establish a self-sustaining population of Northern White Rhinos.
• Recognizing the importance of social learning and cultural transmission in rhino behavior.
• The sudden death of 01, a teaser bull, highlights the ongoing challenges and risks.

Pleistocene Park and Ecosystem Restoration

The Vision

Sergey Zimov and his son, Nikita Zimov, are working to restore the mammoth steppe ecosystem in Siberia by introducing large herbivores. The goal is to combat climate change by:

• Restoring Grasslands: Converting the landscape from forests and wetlands to grasslands, which reflect more sunlight and keep the ground cooler.
• Preventing Permafrost Thaw: Grazing animals trample snow, exposing the ground to colder temperatures and preventing permafrost from thawing, which would release large amounts of greenhouse gases.

The Methodology

• Introducing Megafauna: Introducing species like bison, muskoxen, horses, camels, and yaks to graze and alter the landscape. Bison and muskoxen are considered particularly adaptable and effective.
• Species Selection: Prioritizing species that can have a significant ecological impact. Bison are tougher and have a greater impact than horses.
• Expeditions: Undertaking challenging expeditions to transport animals to Pleistocene Park. Nikita Zimov recounts a particularly difficult expedition to transport elk, which shaped his character.
• Ongoing Projects: Currently, Nikita is managing three expeditions to bring camels, bison, and muskoxen to the park.

Challenges and Future Goals

• Scale: The ultimate goal is to have 100 million large animals in Siberia.
• Government Support: Achieving this vision requires government support and collaboration.
• Global Expansion: The concept of Pleistocene Park could be applied in Alaska, Canada, and the United States.
• Sanctions: Sanctions are making it more difficult to acquire bison from Europe.

De-extinction of the Passenger Pigeon

The Rationale

Ben Novak is passionate about bringing back the passenger pigeon, a species driven to extinction by human activity. The ethical argument is that humans have a duty to rectify the harm they caused.

The Science

• DNA Analysis: Beth Shapiro's research revealed that the passenger pigeon's closest living relative is the band-tailed pigeon.
• Behavioral Differences: The key difference between the two species is their social behavior. Passenger pigeons formed massive flocks that created ecological disturbances.
• Ecosystem Engineering: Passenger pigeons were ecosystem engineers, shaping forests through their feeding habits.

The Approach

• Band-tailed Pigeons: Raising band-tailed pigeons to study their behavior and learn about the ecological requirements of passenger pigeons.
• Habitat Restoration: Providing suitable habitat for passenger pigeons on a three-acre property.
• Ethical Considerations: Addressing the ethical implications of de-extinction, including the question of reparations for past harm.

Cloning and the Pet Industry

Cloning Process

The video briefly touches on the cloning process in a new facility, highlighting that it doesn't always work and involves multiple eggs and embryo implantations. Efficiency is key to making cloning more feasible.

Emotional Aspects

The video emphasizes the emotional connection people have with their pets and the desire to replicate that bond through cloning. The adoption of a surrogate mother by the pet owners is presented as a touching moment. The experience of receiving a cloned pet differs from raising a puppy, as the owners miss the puppyhood stage.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The video explores various approaches to conservation and restoration, ranging from high-tech interventions like cloning and ART to ecosystem-level projects like Pleistocene Park. It highlights the scientific, logistical, and ethical challenges involved in these endeavors, as well as the passion and dedication of the individuals driving them. The de-extinction of the passenger pigeon raises questions about human responsibility and the potential for restoring lost ecosystems. Ultimately, the video underscores the importance of biodiversity conservation and the need for innovative solutions to address the ongoing extinction crisis.