MOKOPANE, South Africa. A groundbreaking anti-poaching initiative has been launched in South Africa, where scientists are injecting rhino horns with radioactive isotopes to make them detectable at international borders. The method, developed by the University of the Witwatersrand in collaboration with nuclear energy experts and conservationists, is part of the newly launched Rhisotope Project.
On Thursday, five rhinos were injected in a new phase of the campaign. The university hopes this marks the beginning of a large-scale rollout across South Africa, which is home to the majority of the world’s remaining rhino population.
The radioactive material used in the injections is non-toxic to the animals, according to researchers at the university’s Radiation and Health Physics Unit. James Larkin, the project’s chief scientific officer, stated that extensive trials have proven the technique to be safe and effective.
“We have demonstrated, beyond scientific doubt, that the process is completely safe for the animal and effective in making the horn detectable through international customs nuclear security systems,” Larkin said.
He added that even horns with low levels of radioactivity successfully triggered radiation detectors, and that tests showed they could be detected even when hidden inside full 40-foot shipping containers.
The method aims to curb the illegal trade in rhino horns, which are highly valued on the black market, particularly in Asia. The International Union for Conservation of Nature reports that the global rhino population has plummeted from around 500,000 in the early 1900s to just 27,000 today.
South Africa holds approximately 16,000 of the remaining rhinos, but faces serious poaching threats, with an estimated 500 rhinos killed each year. Last year, trials were conducted on 20 rhinos at a private sanctuary to test the safety and effectiveness of the isotope injections.
The University of the Witwatersrand is now urging national conservation authorities and private game reserve owners to consider adopting the Rhisotope Project in their efforts to protect rhinos from extinction.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
