A South African university has started an anti-poaching initiative that involves injecting rhino horns with safe radioactive isotopes. These isotopes won’t harm the animals but can be detected by customs officials at borders and airports.
The project, called the Rhisotope Project, is a collaboration between the University of the Witwatersrand, nuclear energy experts, and conservationists. So far, five rhinos have been treated, with hopes to expand the program to help protect the declining rhino population.
Last year, trials were conducted on 20 rhinos at a sanctuary, leading to Thursday’s official launch. Even small amounts of the isotopes can trigger radiation detectors, making it easier to catch poachers and traffickers.
Researchers from Witwatersrand’s Radiation and Health Physics Unit confirmed that the isotopes pose no risk to the rhinos. James Larkin, chief scientific officer of the Rhisotope Project, stated, “We’ve proven scientifically that this method is completely safe for the animals and effectively makes the horns detectable by international customs security systems.”
He added that even horns with very low radioactivity levels successfully set off alarms in tests. The isotopes were also detectable inside large shipping containers.
Rhino populations have dropped dramatically—from around 500,000 in the early 20th century to just 27,000 today—due to illegal horn trade. South Africa, home to about 16,000 rhinos, loses roughly 500 each year to poaching.
The university is encouraging private wildlife parks and conservation authorities to participate in the program to help safeguard rhinos.
