Rhino Signature Project

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Saving Species with Science®

Through their research, CREW scientists have become world experts on the reproductive physiology of Sumatran and Indian rhinos. In an effort to increase animal numbers and improve genetic diversity, CREW uses science and technology to achieve numerous reproductive breakthroughs in these highly endangered Asian rhinos.

Nikki is Expecting!

Watch (and hear) Dr. Monica Stoops give Nikki an ultrasound! - Cincinnati.com photo slideshow narrated by Dr. Stoops.
Posted 1/27/10.

"Nikki,” the Cincinnati Zoo’s 18-year-old female Indian rhino is expecting. The father, “Vinu”, is a 38-year-old male Indian rhino at the Bronx Zoo. However, the two rhinos have never met.

Scientists at the Cincinnati Zoo’s Lindner Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW) collected Vinu’s sperm in 2005 and stored it at -320°F in CREW’s CryoBioBank for four years before it was thawed and utilized in the successful artificial insemination (AI) procedure in June 2009. An Indian rhino's gestation period averages 16 months so and the Zoo anticipates the pitter-patter of baby rhino feet in October 2010.

nikki “We are very excited to prove that the science of artificial insemination using frozen thawed sperm in
the Indian rhino can be repeated” said Dr. Monica Stoops, the Reproductive Physiologist at CREW responsible for developing the AI technique in rhinos.

Three years ago, Nikki was the first endangered rhino species to become pregnant through artificial
insemination of frozen-thawed sperm. Unfortunately, after completing a full term pregnancy, Nikki delivered a stillborn calf. Approximately 50% of Indian rhinos that become first time mothers over the age of 10, like Nikki had been, experience a stillbirth. Despite the devastating outcome, Dr. Stoops and her team looked to the future and were comforted by the fact that female Indian rhinos experiencing a stillbirth following their first pregnancy have successful live births with subsequent pregnancies. It was not long before Dr. Stoops and her team were able to repeat the successful AI procedure. Read More (PDF)> Watch a Video >

Indian Rhino

CREW scientists go high-tech with assisted reproductive technology to successfully produce pregnancies via artificial insemination in the endangered Indian rhino.

The endangered Indian rhino lacks genetic diversity in the captive population. To overcome this challenge, CREW scientists studied the reproductive physiology and established the first successful pregnancy in an Indian rhino through artificial insemination of frozen-thawed sperm. With this scientific breakthrough, it is now possible to produce offspring from behaviorally incompatible Indian rhino pairs and allow new genetic material to be introduced in captive populations globally.

To further ensure captive breeding success and minimize aggression between male and female Indian rhinos, CREW scientists use hormone analysis to correctly time breeding introductions for rhino pairs living at other AZA institutions. With less than 2,500 wild Indian rhinos existing in northern India and southern Nepal, continued protection and law enforcement will also be necessary for their survival.

“The Script” Performs at a Benefit for CREW

The Irish band, “The Script”, gave an acoustical performance to benefit CREW. Band members Danny O’Donoghue, Mark Sheehan and Glen Power were given a special behind the scenes tour of the rhino barn and met the world famous Indian rhinos at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. Most important, the Script learned how CREW is Saving Rhinos with Science. In addition to feeding the rhinos, the Script was presented with a special painting that Nikki the Indian rhino had created for them. Using her semiprehensile lip, Nikki used paint in the colors of the Irish flag to create a one of a kind masterpiece for the band.

Check out the video of the Script performing at the benefit event for CREW and watch exclusive behind the scenes video of them with our rhinos.