Malaysia’s last rhinoceros(犀牛), Iman, died last November. Some skin, eggs and tissue are all that remain of her. Now, scientists plan to use experimental technology to try to bring back Malaysia’s rhinos by using cells from Iman and two other dead rhinos.
Muhammad, biologist at the International Islamic University of Malaysia, said, “If everything...well and everybody supports us, it’s not impossible.”
Malaysia’s rhinos, the smallest among the world’s rhinos, once lived across Asia. But hunting and forest losses reduced their numbers. There are about 80 such rhinos left in Indonesia. But, in Malaysia, the species disappeared from the wild in 2015. Iman was 25 when she died at her home in a protected natural area on Borneo island. Tam, the country’s last male rhino, died there in May of 2019. Efforts to get the two to mate and produce young had failed.
John Payne of the Borneo Rhino Alliance has worked to save Malaysia’s rhinos for about 40 years. He said that Tam was likely too old to produce good sperm. “To increase the chances of success, one should get sperm and eggs from the rhinos in Indonesia,” he said. But, Payne said Indonesia is not supportive of the idea.
The Malaysian scientists plan to use cells from the dead rhinos to create an embryo. The embryo will then be placed into a living rhino, or a closely related animal, such as the horse. The plan is similar to one for the African northern white rhinoceros, of which there are only just two left. Even if it worked, the animals’ lack of diversity could create a threat to their long-term survival, Galli told Reuters.
Indonesian scientist Arief Boediono is among those helping in Malaysia. Arief hopes that suecess there will help his country’s rhinos.
“It may take five, 10, 20 years. I don’t know,” Arief said. “But there has already been some success involving lab rats in Japan, so that means there is a chance.”
For now, however, Iman’s skin will be used to create a reproduction of the animal. It will be placed alongside a reproduction of Tam in a Borneo museum.
12. What do Muhammad’s words actually mean?
A.There are no chances of the successful rescue of Malaysia’s rhinos. |
B.Indonesia government is to blame for rhinos’ rescue and extinction. |
C.The world organizations should support the rhinos’ rescue. |
D.There exists hope for the rebirth of Malaysia’s rhinos. |
13. What accounts for rhinos’ extinction in Malaysia?
A.Unexpected disaster. | B.Shooting and narrowed habitats. |
C.Broken food chain. | D.Climate changing continuously. |
14. What’s the best title for the text?
A.Scientists try to bring back Malaysia’s rhinos. |
B.An experimental technology is facing challenges. |
C.Welcome to team up to save wild animals. |
D.Rhinos in danger are drawing attention. |
15. What is the general tone of the text?
A.Indifferent | B.Objective. | C.Ridiculous. | D.Pessimistic. |