In a groundbreaking effort to curb the poaching crisis devastating Africa’s rhino population, scientists in South Africa have launched a bold new initiative: injecting radioactive material into rhino horns to make them traceable at international borders. The pioneering anti-poaching strategy, developed by researchers at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, aims to disrupt the illegal wildlife trade and deter poachers by making rhino horns both detectable and unusable for illicit markets.

Dubbed the Rhisotope Project, the initiative involves safely inserting small, carefully measured quantities of radioactive isotopes into the horns of live rhinos. These isotopes are harmless to the animals and the environment, but their presence renders the horns useless for traditional medicine and triggers radiation detection systems at ports and border checkpoints—many of which are already in place to detect nuclear material.

The concept is the result of six years of rigorous research and development, costing approximately £220,000 (\$290,000 USD). Led by Professor James Larkin of Wits University, the project recently completed a successful pilot study involving 20 rhinos, confirming the safety and effectiveness of the procedure.

“At least one rhino a day is still being poached in South Africa,” said Prof. Larkin in a statement to the BBC. “If we don’t take action now, the numbers will only go one way. This is a proactive approach—a significant tool in reducing poaching before it happens.”

South Africa is home to the largest population of rhinos in the world, but it has also become the epicenter of the poaching crisis. According to the conservation charity Save the Rhino, over 400 rhinos have been killed in the country each year since 2021. The primary targets are white rhinos, which are listed as threatened, and the critically endangered black rhino. Their horns are smuggled to Asian markets, particularly in China and Vietnam, where they are used in traditional medicine or displayed as symbols of wealth and status.

The Rhisotope Project, which has received support from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), is unique in its use of nuclear science for wildlife conservation. Notably, the radioactive materials used in the injections are detectable even through full 40-foot shipping containers, giving customs officials a powerful new tool in intercepting smuggled horns.

Jamie Joseph, a well-known anti-poaching activist and founder of the Saving the Wild charity, praised the initiative. “It’s innovative and much needed,” she said. “While it’s not a silver bullet—only stronger legislation and political will can end the rhino crisis—it will help disrupt the illegal supply chain and provide authorities with more accurate data on trafficking routes.”

Jessica Babich, head of the Rhisotope Project, emphasized the broader implications of the initiative. “Our goal is to deploy this technology at scale to protect one of Africa’s most iconic and threatened species,” she said. “By doing so, we safeguard not just rhinos, but a vital part of our natural heritage.”

Previous anti-poaching methods, such as dehorning and poisoning rhino horns, have had limited success. Dehorning must be repeated regularly, is expensive, and does not guarantee protection, while poisoning poses ethical and safety concerns. In contrast, the Rhisotope method offers a cost-effective and scalable alternative that aligns with existing international security infrastructure.

The project’s success has sparked global interest, with potential for replication in other countries facing similar wildlife trafficking issues. As the Rhisotope team prepares to expand the program, they hope that nuclear technology will become a vital part of international conservation strategies.

While the poaching crisis remains a complex and deeply entrenched problem, the Rhisotope Project offers a beacon of hope. By turning rhino horns into high-risk contraband detectable around the globe, scientists may have found a crucial piece of the puzzle in the fight to save one of the world’s most endangered species.