In a groundbreaking approach to wildlife conservation, South African researchers are leveraging nuclear technology to combat rhino poaching.
At a rhino orphanage in Limpopo province, a sedated rhino undergoes a procedure where isotopes are inserted into its horn.
This initiative is part of a project designed to render rhino horns worthless to poachers by making them detectable through existing radiation monitoring systems at international borders.
RecentlyJune 25, 2024, researchers from the University of the Witwatersrand’s Radiation and Health Physics Unit injected radioactive material into the horns of 20 rhinos.
The project, involving veterinarians and nuclear experts, aims to utilize the global network of radiation detectors—originally set up to prevent nuclear terrorism—to intercept trafficked rhino horns.
“We are doing this because it makes it significantly easier to intercept these horns as they are being trafficked over international borders,” explained Professor James Larkin, the project lead.
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“There is a global network of radiation monitors that have been designed to prevent nuclear terrorism, and we’re piggybacking on that.”
Rhino populations have plummeted from around 500,000 in the early 20th century to approximately 27,000 today, primarily due to poaching driven by black market demand.
South Africa, home to the largest rhino population, has seen over 500 rhinos killed annually. The COVID-19 pandemic brought a temporary decrease in poaching, but numbers have since risen.
Despite the innovative approach, the project has faced ethical challenges and criticism. Pelham Jones, chairperson of the Private Rhino Owners Association, questions its efficacy. “Poachers have found alternative ways to move rhino horns out of the country, bypassing traditional border crossings,” Jones stated.
Nevertheless, the research continues, with the hope that it can also be applied to other vulnerable species such as elephants and pangolins.
Professor Nithaya Chetty, dean of the science faculty at Witwatersrand, assured that the radioactive dosage used is minimal and extensively tested to avoid harming the animals.
As conservationists and scientists push the boundaries of technology to protect endangered species, this project represents a significant step towards innovative solutions in the fight against wildlife trafficking.
