**The Rhisotope Project aims to combat the ongoing threat to rhino populations and disrupt illegal trafficking.**
**Radioactive Rhino Horns: A New Weapon Against Poaching in South Africa**
**Radioactive Rhino Horns: A New Weapon Against Poaching in South Africa**
**Scientists in South Africa employ innovative methods to protect rhinos from poaching through radioactive horn injections.**
South African researchers from the University of the Witwatersrand have unveiled a groundbreaking initiative in their fight against rhino poaching, involving the injection of rhino horns with a harmless radioactive substance. This cutting-edge approach aims to assist customs officials in identifying smuggled horns as they are transported globally.
With South Africa hosting the largest rhino population worldwide, the relentless threat of poaching remains ever-present, with hundreds of rhinos falling victim to illegal hunting each year. The Rhisotope Project, developed over six years and funded at approximately £220,000 (about $290,000), seeks to provide an innovative solution to this pressing issue.
James Larkin, a professor at Wits University and part of the project, expressed concern over the figures, stating, “At least one animal a day is still being poached.” He emphasized the project’s importance in taking a proactive stance against poaching, rather than merely reacting to incidents after they occur. The pilot study involving 20 rhinos confirmed that the radioactive material is completely safe for the animals.
Collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency has enabled researchers to ascertain that the horns can even be detected within large shipping containers. Jamie Joseph, a prominent figure in rhino conservation, lauded the Rhisotope Project as a critical development but acknowledged that it is only part of a larger solution. “It will certainly help disrupt the flow of horns leaving the country,” she stated, emphasizing the need for stronger legislation and political commitment to effectively address the rhino crisis.
Statistics from conservation charity Save the Rhino reveal that South Africa has experienced a consistent rise in rhino poaching, with over 400 animals taken annually since 2021. Jessica Babich, head of the Rhisotope Project, emphasized the team's ambition to implement this technology widely to protect one of Africa’s most endangered species, ensuring not only the survival of rhinos but also a significant piece of the continent's natural heritage.
Rhino horns are primarily sought after in Asian markets for use in traditional medicine and are also seen as symbols of wealth. Currently, white rhinos are classified as threatened and black rhinos as critically endangered, further highlighting the urgency of conservation efforts.
