In an innovative effort to combat wildlife crime, researchers in South Africa have begun injecting rhino horns with radioactive material—a groundbreaking technique designed to deter poachers and disrupt the illegal trade.
The project, developed by scientists at the University of the Witwatersrand, aims to make smuggled horns easier to detect at borders and ports. The radioactive markers, harmless to the animals, can be identified by security scanners, even when concealed in large shipping containers.
South Africa is home to the world’s largest rhino population, yet hundreds are killed each year for their horns, which are highly sought after in certain markets, particularly in Asia. The illegal trade persists despite conservation efforts, prompting experts to explore unconventional solutions.
After six years of research and testing, the initiative—dubbed the Rhisotope Project—has proven safe in trials involving 20 rhinos. Researchers hope scaling up the effort will significantly reduce poaching by making horns traceable and less appealing to traffickers.
While the technology marks a major step forward, conservationists stress that stronger laws and political action remain essential to ending the crisis. Nevertheless, the method provides a crucial tool for tracking smuggling routes and gathering data on illegal wildlife networks.
With rhino populations under severe threat—black rhinos are critically endangered, and white rhinos are classified as threatened—the project represents a vital effort to protect these iconic animals and preserve Africa’s natural heritage.
