A photograph of a 70-day-old rhino fetus, the first conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF), has been listed as one of the National Geographic 2024 Pictures of the Year. A scientist holds a 70-day-old rhino fetus conceived through IVF.
Photographed by Ami Vitale, this rhino fetus was conceived after the embryo of a southern white rhino was implanted into a surrogate southern white rhino through IVF.
Although the pregnancy was confirmed only after the surrogate mother tragically died from an unrelated bacterial infection, it proved that IVF is feasible in rhinos, bringing hope for future conservation efforts. Only two northern white rhinos remain on Earth, both female and under 24/7 armed guard at Kenya’s Ol Pejeta Conservancy. This subspecies of white rhino has been hunted to functional extinction for their horns, but now a bright solution has emerged. 
Over the past 12 months, Nat Geo photographers like Ami ventured around the world, capturing over 2.3 million photos, of which only 20 were selected as the most captivating pictures of the year for National Geographic.
The success is bittersweet: the surrogate mother died from an unrelated bacterial infection before scientists could confirm the pregnancy. An autopsy revealed she was pregnant.
An Elephant Dies Beside a Busy Road in Zambia
Sioma, Zambia
An elephant was killed on the M10 highway by a car. A passenger in the car also died. Elephants must cross the M10 to reach the Zambezi River, their only water source during the hot, dry months.
As roads, villages, and farms encroach on the habitats of elephants and other wildlife, human-animal interactions are increasing. Additionally, animals and humans are increasingly competing for resources like water. In the past, locals would only occasionally see elephants, but now, they tell Doest that these animals raid their crops and leave a path of destruction when moving through villages in large numbers.
A Small Breakthrough
Konstanz, Germany
Ingo Arndt collaborated with the University of Konstanz to build a nest to observe the reproductive behavior of wood ants, which are usually hidden in forest mounds. Arndt watched as female workers of the hive cleaned eggs, larvae spun cocoons, and larvae opened the cocoons with their mandibles, with workers then assisting in cutting them off.
Petal Push
Kalaat M’Gouna, Morocco
Every spring, Morocco holds a festival to celebrate the rose harvest. Pickers, mostly women, collect the buds in the early morning before the flowers open and release their scent. The buds are then hand-sorted. The best are distilled into rose oil and rose water; the rest are dried for tea or garlands.
A Love Song from the Past
Periodical cicadas spend 13 or 17 years underground just to emerge for reproduction. Last May and June, for the first time in 221 years, the 17-year Brood XIII and the 13-year Brood XIX emerged simultaneously in the Midwest and Southeast of the U.S., filling the air with vibrations as they called for mating.
Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan
This sacred site, located in an area rich in animism, Zoroastrianism, and Buddhist history, is maintained by the local Wakhi people, who are Ismaili Muslims. A few years ago, a fallen tree on the shrine’s grave, decorated with wild sheep and goat horns, was preserved according to custom.
Landscape with a Swing
Antigua, Guatemala
Since 2002, the Fuego volcano has been erupting. Hiking through the valley for a day, adventurers can enjoy the beautiful view of Fuego’s ridgeline.
Liquid Fuel from the Sun
Jülich, Germany
Solar synthetic liquid, made from sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide, has the potential to replace fossil fuels. It can be used to power trucks, ships, and planes without the need for modifications.
When Water Collides
Fanning Springs State Park, Florida
After sunrise, the tannin-rich Suwannee River and clear water can be seen rushing between schools of fish (one of Florida’s thousand freshwater springs), easily captured from the shore.
