South Africa has unveiled its first ever test-tube buffalo, the first Cape buffalo brought into the world by in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
The buffalo calf, named Pumelelo, was born on June 28 and was unveiled this week at a farm located to the north of Johannesburg.
“This success is of major importance for the prospective breeding of endangered species, and that is the reason why we are undertaking this work,” said Morne de la Rey, a veterinarian and the managing director of Embryo Plus, which specialises in bovine embryo transfers and semen collection, mostly for the cattle industry.
The calf could grow to about 1,000 kilogrammes or more, according to South African veterinary officials.
Having had this success, the project will now focus on the northern white rhino and the trio that remain on the planet in Kenya’s Ol Pajeta Conservancy. The San Diego Zoo is partnering with that effort.
