World's first kangaroo embryo through IVF - hope for species protection

World's first kangaroo embryo through IVF - hope for species protection

Scientist in Australia have successfully created the world's first kangaroo embryo through in vitro fertilization (IVF). This groundbreaking finding is being hailed as a significant advance that may help save endangered species.

Importance for species conservation in Australia

The research could be crucial to Australia's conservation efforts as the country urgently needs to protect its native species. Australia has one of the worst records for species extinction in the world.

Extinction Records in Australia

Since European settlement, at least 33 mammal species have died in Australia, according to the Australian nonprofit Invasive Species Council reported. This represents a higher extinction rate than most other continents in the world in recent years.

Threats to native species

Although the eastern gray kangaroos used in this trial are not threatened, many of Australia's native marsupial species, such as koalas and Tasmanian devils, are on the Red List of Endangered Species.

Process of the research

Scientists at the University of Queensland first studied how kangaroo eggs and sperm were developed in the laboratory. They then injected a single sperm directly into a mature egg, known as intracytoplasmic sperm injection, the university said Thursday.

Long-term goals of the research

Andres Gambini, who led the kangaroo embryo research, explained that this technique could also be applied to other endangered animals. “Our ultimate goal is to support the conservation of endangered marsupial species such as koalas, Tasmanian devils, northern hairy-nosed wombats and leadbeater opossums,” explained Gambini.

Challenges in species protection

“Accessing marsupial tissues is challenging because they are less studied than domesticated animals, despite being iconic and integral to Australian biodiversity,” he added.

Government initiatives to protect species

In 2022 the Australian government announced one 10-year plan to eliminate further extinctions to. This plan includes efforts to conserve more than 30% of the landmass and protect 110 priority species across the country.

Threats in the ecosystem

More than 2,200 species and ecosystems in Australia are considered at risk of extinction, according to a 2023 report by the nonprofit Australian Conservation Foundation.

Reporting by CNN, Jay Ganglani.