The male Indian rhino Jimmy at the Cincinnati Zoo had his sperm frozen before he died in 2004. The sperm came in handy last year when a female rhino named Tashi at the Buffalo Zoo needed to get pregnant so that she did not become infertile from waiting too long between pregnancies (something that often occurs in rhinos). Tashi's mate had died, and the only other male Indian rhino at the zoo was too young to mate with. Tashi had two successful births in the past, so zoo staff tried artificial insemination of Tashi with Jimmy's sperm, and it worked! Baby Monica was born after 15-16 months of gestation.
This is huge news because it was the first time a baby rhino was born from a father that had already died, and shows that artificial insemination can be used to help with conservation of this very endangered species, which has less than 2,500 individuals in the wild. It also may be used for other threatened or endangered species in captivity.
http://www.today.com/pets/adorable-baby-rhino-born-10-years-after-her-father-dies-1D79838467
Also, the first orangutan was recently born in Connecticut using assisted reproduction - with natural cycle intrauterine insemination (IUI). This is also being praised for its potential in conservation of the species.
http://www.today.com/pets/baby-orangutan-conceived-using-fertility-treatment-makes-history-1D79825420
This is huge news because it was the first time a baby rhino was born from a father that had already died, and shows that artificial insemination can be used to help with conservation of this very endangered species, which has less than 2,500 individuals in the wild. It also may be used for other threatened or endangered species in captivity.
http://www.today.com/pets/adorable-baby-rhino-born-10-years-after-her-father-dies-1D79838467
Also, the first orangutan was recently born in Connecticut using assisted reproduction - with natural cycle intrauterine insemination (IUI). This is also being praised for its potential in conservation of the species.
http://www.today.com/pets/baby-orangutan-conceived-using-fertility-treatment-makes-history-1D79825420
Tashi and her calf. Photo from Buffalo Zoo's Instagram.