In a effort to combat poaching, scientists in South Africa have started injecting non-toxic radioactive isotopes into the horns of live rhinos. This initiative, known as the Rhisotope Project, is led by the University of the Witwatersrand’s Radiation and Health Physics Unit (RHPU).
The process involves drilling a small hole into the rhino’s horn and inserting two tiny radioactive chips. This renders the horn essentially poisonous for human consumption and sets off detectors installed globally at international border posts, originally installed to thwart nuclear terrorism. The radioactive dose is low enough not to impact the animal’s health or the environment.
The project aims to make the horns unfit for human consumption and facilitate easier tracking at international border crossings. The primary goal is to identify smuggling efforts before they even leave the country. The initiative is currently being tested on 20 rhinos, whose health will be monitored for the next six months. If successful, the program could be expanded to include elephants and pangolins, as well as other plants and animals.
Despite the innovative approach, the project faces challenges. Not all rhino horns are compatible with radioactive material, and the infrastructure to detect radioactive material is not available at all border posts. However, the scientists leading the project are hopeful that this novel approach will significantly contribute to the fight against poaching.
Read more: gizmodo.com