Scientists inject rhinos with radioactive materials in South Africa to curb poaching

The initiative, known as the Rhisotope Project, is spearheaded by researchers at the University of the Witwatersrand. By making the horns traceable, the project aims to deter trafficking and protect rhino populations, particularly in southern Africa, where poaching remains a severe threat.

Last week, five rhinos were injected with the material; the project aims to treat the entire endangered rhino population in South Africa.

Unlike dehorning, which is common practice every 18 to 24 months, this new procedure only needs to be done once every five years.

The initiative is being hailed as a promising breakthrough in the fight against South Africa's relentless poaching crisis by rendering rhino horns radioactive—and therefore both less desirable and easier to detect—the project leverages international laws that prohibit the possession of radioactive materials in most countries.

The radioactive horns can be easily identified at airports and border crossings using standard radiation detection equipment, significantly increasing the risk for traffickers. As of Monday, 30 rhinos across two South African sites have been treated. The Rhisotope Project aims to reach a total of 180 treated animals by the end of the year.

According to South Africa's Save the Rhino Organization, at least one rhino is killed every day, with annual losses averaging around 500. The ongoing poaching crisis has driven a steady decline in rhino populations both in South Africa and globally, with only about 27,000 rhinos remaining worldwide.

Poachers continue to employ a range of tactics, including tracking and killing rhinos within protected reserves. Their operations are fueled by a sophisticated network of local and international traffickers, driven by the high demand for rhino horns on the black market.