To overcome this challenge, CREW scientists led by Dr. Monica Stoops studied the reproductive physiology and established the first successful pregnancy in an Indian rhino through artificial insemination (AI) of frozen-thawed sperm in 2010. The birth of a male calf at the Montogomery Zoo in 2013 demonstrates that AI science is a repeatable and valuable tool to help manage the captive Indian rhino population. With this scientific breakthrough, it is now possible to produce offspring from behaviorally incompatible Indian rhino pairs and allow new genetic material to be introduced in captive populations globally.

To further ensure captive breeding success and minimize aggression between male and female Indian rhinos, CREW scientists use hormone analysis to correctly time breeding introductions for rhino pairs living at other AZA institutions.