Introduction:

A South African university has recently unveiled an innovative anti-poaching initiative that involves injecting small amounts of radioactive isotopes into rhino horns. The method is reported to be harmless to the animals while enabling customs officials to easily detect trafficked horns. This initiative, known as the Rhisotope Project, has the backing of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Body:

The IAEA explains that radioactive isotopes, or radioisotopes, are unstable variants of chemical elements that release radiation as they transform into stable forms. This radiation can be detected and typically alters the material it interacts with.

Under the Rhisotope Project, rhino horns are infused with trace amounts of these isotopes using a non-invasive procedure. Once treated, the horns can be identified by radiation portal monitors (RPMs) installed at ports, airports, and border checkpoints worldwide to intercept illicit nuclear materials.

For testing, researchers used 3D-printed replicas of rhino horns that mimic the shielding properties of natural keratin—the substance that forms real rhino horns. Trials demonstrated that individual horns could be detected even inside fully loaded 40-foot shipping containers. According to the research team, the method is entirely safe for the animals while making the horns both unusable and toxic for human consumption.

The technology integrates smoothly with existing international nuclear security systems, ensuring effective detection without harming rhinos.

Conclusion:

The International Union for Conservation of Nature estimates that the global rhino population has plummeted from about 500,000 in the early 1900s to just 27,000 today, largely due to the demand for their horns. These horns, often smuggled to Asian markets, are prized for use in traditional medicine and as luxury status symbols. South Africa, which holds the largest rhino population, has seen nearly 10,000 rhinos killed by poachers in the past decade.

While this project is not a definitive solution to poaching, researchers believe it could serve as a strong deterrent. It also offers a less intrusive alternative to dehorning—a method in which the animal’s horn is physically removed to prevent illegal hunting

Other Points to Consider

Read about Indian One-horned Rhino

Read more about radioisotopes