Species in news
Scientists have successfully produced the first kangaroo embryos through in vitro fertilisation (IVF), a development that they said could be critical for saving the species from extinction.
IVF is being explored around the world for conserving endangered species. In January 2024, scientists in Germany transferred a rhino embryo, the world’s first produced through IVF, into a surrogate.
The feat provides important insights into marsupial breeding and could aid efforts to improve the genetic diversity of endangered species such as the koala, Tasmanian devil, northern hairy-nosed wombat and Leadbeater’s possum
Note: Australia houses the largest variety of marsupial mammals, but it also has the highest rate of mammal extinctions.
In 2018, IVF was also used to create the world’s first donkey embryo.
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