Omaha's henry doorly ZOO and aquarium aims to safeguard the genetic diversity and reproductive health of rhinos

The Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded the Omaha Zoological Society $254,993.95 on October 1, 2025, under the National Leadership Grants program (CFDA 45.312) to establish consortium-based genetic management and advance assisted reproductive technology for rhino populations.

The recipient will establish a data-driven consortium model to maximize genetic diversity and improve rhino population management, expand biobanking efforts to preserve a broader range of genetic materials, and develop assisted reproductive technology capabilities to address natural breeding challenges and improve reproductive success. The project is designed to generate management templates applicable to other species, extending impact beyond rhinos and supporting zoos' roles in public education, species conservation, and biodiversity preservation.

Work is performed in Omaha, Nebraska, with performance ending July 31, 2026. The award amount obligated is $254,993.95, though the source indicates funds are to be deobligated. Henry Doorly Zoo, the doing-business-as entity of the Omaha Zoological Society, is a non-profit conservation organization specializing in animal care, quarantine, and wildlife management research.

National Leadership Grants support projects addressing critical needs in museum and library fields with potential to advance practice through models, tools, research findings, services, and alliances that can be widely adopted, scaled, or replicated across the professions.

This joint initiative will 1) establish a consortium model that utilizes data-driven pairings to maximize genetic diversity and improve population management, 2) enhance biobanking efforts by expanding the variety and scope of preserved genetic materials, and 3) advance assisted reproductive technology (art) to overcome challenges to natural breeding and improve reproductive success. Results will augment ZOO conservation capabilities, equipping them with cutting-edge genetic and art tools to help maintain healthy, sustainable rhino populations. These strategies will serve as a management template for other species, extending the project's impact beyond rhinos. Maintaining thriving rhino populations will help ensure zoos continue to serve as important hubs for public education, species conservation, and the preservation of biodiversity.