South African Scientists Deploy Radioactive Rhino Horns to Combat Poaching

The Rhisotope Project, an innovative effort from the University of the Witwatersrand, aims to protect rhinos by injecting their horns with a harmless radioactive material, making it easier to detect and intercept poached horns in international trade routes.

South African scientists have initiated a pioneering anti-poaching strategy that involves injecting rhino horns with a radioactive substance aimed at combating illegal wildlife trafficking. Researchers from the University of the Witwatersrand have developed this approach, stating that the radioactive material poses no harm to the rhinos and assists customs officials in identifying smuggled horns during global transport.

Home to the world's largest rhino population, South Africa faces a grim challenge as hundreds of these magnificent creatures are poached each year. The initiative, known as the Rhisotope Project, represents a significant investment of approximately £220,000 ($290,000) following six years of extensive research and experimentation.

According to Professor James Larkin, a key figure in the project, "At least one animal a day is still being poached." He emphasized the urgency of the situation, asserting that innovative methods are essential in the fight against wildlife crime. The project's pilot study, which involved tagging 20 rhinos, confirmed the safety of the radioactive injection, suggesting it can be used effectively without endangering the animals.

Researchers associated with the International Atomic Energy Agency have demonstrated that the injected horns can be located even within large shipping containers, making it difficult for traffickers to evade detection. Prominent conservationists, such as Jamie Joseph of the Saving the Wild charity, have praised the Rhisotope Project as an "innovative and much-needed" solution, although she stresses that comprehensive legislation and political commitment are necessary for long-term success.

The alarming statistics reveal that since 2021, over 400 rhinos have fallen victim to poaching annually in South Africa, according to the conservation group Save the Rhino. Jessica Babich, the head of the Rhisotope Project, expressed optimism about the initiative, stating, "Our goal is to deploy the Rhisotope technology at scale to protect one of Africa's most iconic and threatened species."

The demand for rhino horns, primarily fueled by markets in Asia for traditional medicine and status symbols, underscores the urgency of these conservation efforts. With white rhinos classified as threatened and black rhinos as critically endangered, the introduction of this technology aims not only to safeguard rhinos but also to preserve essential elements of the natural world.