A tiny rhino foetus developed by IVF: Jon A Juárez’s best photograph | Photography

THer photography captures a moment of fragile hope: the world’s first IVF rhino pregnancy, a tiny fetus that has reignited optimism among scientists fighting to save the northern white rhino from extinction. There are only two female northern white rhinos left on the planet: Najin and her daughter Fatu. Neither can carry a pregnancy due to health complications. The last male died in 2018, leading to functional extinction of the species.

For 15 years, the BioRescue project – an international consortium dedicated to saving the species – has been collecting and preserving sperm from deceased males. Using this genetic material and Fatu’s eggs, they created 38 embryos. This may seem like a lot, but it’s not. As Najin and Fatu cannot conceive, surrogate mothers are essential and it was decided to use southern white rhinos, a less endangered subspecies. The team also had to prove that their technique would work with southern white rhino embryos before transferring one of the northern white rhino embryos to a surrogate mother.

After 13 embryo transfer attempts, they achieved the first viable IVF pregnancy in a southern white rhino. The fetus in this image is the result after transfer. Unfortunately, the pregnancy was unsuccessful (16-18 months), as the surrogate mother died of a bacterial infection after 70 days. But the pregnancy demonstrated that the technique is viable – a crucial step.

Ethics are at the heart of the project and a dedicated team of ethical scientists monitor every step to ensure no harm is caused. Northern white rhinos live on a reserve in Kenya, protected 24 hours a day by dedicated rangers and keepers. I understand that some may feel uncomfortable with surrogacy and IVF in animals, but I have seen first-hand how carefully the team evaluates animal welfare. Professor Thomas Hildebrandt, head of the project, says science cannot be an excuse to repeat the mistakes of the past; this cannot be the only solution; conservation must go hand in hand with science to prevent extinction.

Before becoming a photographer, I studied biology. I dreamed of becoming a scientist, but science seemed too broad to me and my applications to research institutes were clumsy and naive. This never happened. Photography became my means of return. Years ago I met the press officer of the BioRescue project, based in Berlin, where I live and in 2020 he invited me and my partner – a journalist – to document the first southern white rhino embryo transfers in Germany. I was blown away. As a frustrated biologist, I was thrilled to work alongside this extraordinary team. Since then, I have followed their work – first in German zoos, and since 2023, in Kenya.

I remember being at the airport in Germany, about to fly to Kenya to document what we hoped would be the first successful surrogacy – the team was buzzing. But while we were still at the airport, we learned that the surrogate mother had died. It was devastating. Emotions were difficult to express. This photograph was taken while scientists were carrying out DNA checks on the fetus.

The image is very different from others I took for the project. This goes beyond documentation: it is not about showing a living animal or a scientific procedure, but something much more fragile. To me this represents success and loss. This proves that the science works, but it also reminds us how close we are to losing this species forever. I think it captures the emotional essence of the whole story.

Although the story is bittersweet, the fetus proves that science works. If we listen to scientists and support their efforts, we can still correct our course and make the planet a better place. Yes, bad news matters, but we also need stories of perseverance. There are incredible people who work tirelessly and refuse to give up. The project came close to success. It’s only a matter of time.

But time is running out. The German government, which has financed the project since 2019, has not yet confirmed its continued support. The next funding decision is expected at the end of November. Without it, progress could stop – not only for the northern white rhino, but also for other threatened species. It’s deeply discouraging, especially when the goal is within our reach. If we continue to put environmental issues aside, we risk crossing a point of no return.

This image is the winner of the photojournalism category of the 61st Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. Discover the 100 award-winning photographs in an exhibition at the Natural History Museum in London, from October 17 to July 12

CV of Jon A. Juárez

Born: Blanes, Spain, 1987
Qualified: “Self-taught. I discovered photography during my last year of biology studies and from that moment on, I was addicted to it.”
Influences: “Sebastião Salgado, Sandra Bartocha, Bruno D’Amicis and my partner and colleague Elena Gyldenkerne.”
Highlight: “At the time I received my first assignment which sent me to Namibia to document a conservation project. »
Low point: “About 10 or 12 years ago, I tried to contact galleries in Berlin to exhibit my work, but all of them rejected me.”
Trick : “Good things take time! If you believe in something, don’t give up, go for it and give it the time it needs.”