Winston-Salem, North Carolina – Move over Smokey the Bear and meet Rudy the Rhino! Up to one million plant and animal species face extinction, many within decades, because of human activities. One of these is the Northern White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni). Only two individuals remain, both of them female, making the subspecies functionally extinct. Jeanne Loring, a stem-cell biologist is leading an effort to collect and reprogram stem cells that could save this species and others from extinction.

The World Stem Cell Summit went to enormous expense to secure his direct plea directly from the rhino’s lips in support of the efforts of researchers to save his cousins, the Northern White Rhino from extinction. To look his part, and after great struggle, Rudy squeezed into a shirt, jacket and tie borrowed from Summit Producer/Director Kevin McMahon.

We hope Rudy’s plea will now be heard around the world. Please tell those favoring the preservation of ALL endangered wildlife join to us at the World Stem Cell Summit combined with the Regenerative Medicine Essential Course, June 5 through 9 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and learn about Dr. Jeanne Loring’s extraordinary work with stem cells that could potentially save endangered species which will be presented at the public day of the event Monday June 5th.