Research overview: post-mortem gamete rescue in felids

Recovering viable gametes from animals shortly after death allows valuable genetics to be salvaged that would otherwise be lost. This overview surveys post-mortem gamete rescue in felids, including the collection of sperm from the epididymis and oocytes or ovarian tissue from recently deceased individuals, and the time windows within which cells remain usable. It reviews how rescued gametes are cryopreserved and later used in assisted reproduction or banking. The review connects post-mortem rescue to opportunistic conservation, where the unexpected death of a rare cat becomes an opportunity to preserve its genes. Understanding gamete rescue underscores the value of rapid response protocols and biobanking infrastructure in felid conservation programs.