Scientists create embryos, hope to save near-extinct rhino

Najin (L) and Fatu are the only two northern white rhino known to be alive today - both are infertile females. [Tony Karumba, AFP]

Months after the death of Sudan, the world's last male northern white rhino, scientists said Wednesday they have grown embryos containing DNA of his kind, hoping to save the subspecies from extinction.

With only two northern white rhino (NWR) known to be alive today -- both infertile females -- the team hopes their breakthrough technique will lead to the re-establishment of a viable NWR breeding population.