Scientists in South Africa are making rhino horns radioactive to fight poaching

Scientists in South Africa have launched an anti-poaching initiative where rhino horns are injected with harmless radioactive isotopes that customs agents can detect. The University of the Witwatersrand, along with nuclear officials and conservationists, conducted a pilot study with five rhinos as part of the Rhisotope Project.

Last year, about 20 rhinos were injected with isotopes, helping pave the way for larger scale efforts. These isotopes trigger alarms in radiation detectors at borders, which can lead to arrests of poachers.

“We have demonstrated, beyond scientific doubt, that the process is completely safe for the animal,” said James Larkin, chief scientific officer. This strategy comes as rhino populations continue to decline due to poaching, with South Africa losing around 500 rhinos annually.