First Radioactive Rhino Horns to Curb Poaching in South Africa
Context:
South African scientists have initiated a pioneering project where they injected radioactive material into live rhino horns.
- This effort aims to enhance detection capabilities at border posts and curb poaching activities.
- Twenty live rhinos in total would be part of the pilot Rhisotope project.
The Rhino Poaching Crisis: South Africa is home to a significant portion of the world’s rhino population, making it a hotspot for poaching.
- The illegal trade in rhino horns is fueled by high demand in Asia, where they are prized for their supposed medicinal qualities in traditional medicine.
The Radioactive Solution: This initiative comes after a rise in rhino poaching in South Africa. Despite government efforts, the number of rhinos killed in 2023 reached 499, an 11% increase from the previous year.
- The project involves inserting tiny radioactive chips into the horns of rhinos at the Limpopo Rhino Orphanage.
- The low dosage of radiation will not harm the animals and is undetectable by the rhinos themselves.
- This method is intended to be more effective than dehorning, which needs to be repeated every 18 months due to horn regrowth.
- It will also make the horns useless for human consumption, essentially rendering them poisonous.
Detection and Border Security
- The low dose of radioisotopes ensures they won’t harm the rhinos’ health but is sufficient to trigger detectors at international border posts.
- Originally designed for preventing nuclear terrorism, these detectors now aid in identifying trafficked rhino horns.
- Border agents equipped with handheld radiation detectors, aided by thousands at ports and airports, will play a key role in preventing illegal shipments.
The Best Idea Yet?
- Rhino horns fetch high prices on black markets, rivalling gold and cocaine.
- Previous methods, such as dehorning and poisoning the horns, failed to deter poachers.
- With approximately 15,000 rhinos in South Africa, this project safeguards these creatures. As the pilot project progresses, the focus will shift to the animals’ aftercare, following proper scientific and ethical protocols.
International Rhino Foundation