Wednesday, 12 Aug 2020 04:14 PM MYT
Now scientists are pinning their hopes on experimental stem cell technology to bring back the Malaysian variant of the Sumatran rhinoceros, making use of cells from Iman and two other dead rhinos. “It was obvious that, to increase the chances of success, one should get sperm and eggs from the rhinos in Indonesia. But right till today, Indonesia is still not keen on this.”Indonesia’s environment ministry disputed accusations of cross-border rivalry as a reason why Malaysia’s rhinos died out, saying talks continue on ways to work with conservationists in the neighbouring southeast Asian nation.
The plan is similar to one for the African northern white rhinoceros, which number just two. Researchers in that effort reported some success in 2018 in producing embyronic stem cells for the southern white rhino. Indonesian scientist Arief Boediono is among those helping in Malaysia, hoping success will provide lessons to help his country’s rhinos.