Can IVF Save the Northern White Rhino from Extinction?
Selected by Nature's photo team, the month's sharpest science shots include a significant milestone in saving a species.
A southern white rhinoceros foetus was the result of the first successful rhino embryo transfer into a surrogate mother through in vitro fertilization (IVF).
"was something I will never forget"
said photographer Jon A Juárez, whose shot was among this year's winning images from the National History Museum's Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
Although the embryo did not survive due to an infection, the breakthrough paves the way for saving the rare northern white rhino from extinction.
Author summary: IVF breakthrough for rhino conservation.