Conservationists are resorting to a unique method to protect rhinos from poachers by injecting their horns with radioactive isotopes. According to James Larkin, the process involves drilling holes in the horn, inserting carefully chosen isotopes, sealing it, and reviving the rhino within minutes. Larkin, the chief science officer at the Rhisotope Project, assures that the doses are safe for the rhinos but potent enough to trigger radiation detectors at border crossings to deter poachers.
The project, a joint effort between nuclear energy officials and conservationists, collaborates with the International Atomic Energy Agency and the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. Extensive testing, including injecting 20 rhinos at the Rhino Orphanage, confirmed the safety of the procedure, with no adverse effects observed. Despite setting off security alarms, the radiation does not harm the rhinos.
The innovative project aims not only to catch horn traffickers but also to discourage poaching attempts. Mariano Grossi, the IAEA director general, praised the initiative as a novel application of nuclear science to address global challenges. Similarly, de-horning rhinos has proven effective in reducing poaching incidents, though it may influence their behavior.
With hundreds of rhinos killed annually for their horns, the Rhisotope Project seeks to expand its reach and encourage wider adoption to combat poaching. The global rhino population has drastically declined due to high demand for horns, particularly in South Africa, where poaching remains a significant issue. Larkin emphasizes the lucrative black market for rhino horns driven by their perceived status symbol rather than medicinal purposes.
Researchers hope to extend this method to protect other endangered species like elephants and pangolins. Wildlife ecologist Joel Berger supports the initiative as a promising step to combat illegal wildlife trade but stresses the need for concerted efforts to dismantle criminal networks behind poaching activities.
