JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – In a move to curb rampant rhino poaching, scientists in South Africa have launched a bold new anti-poaching initiative that involves injecting radioactive material into rhino horns, making them traceable at borders and global transit hubs.
The initiative, dubbed the Rhisotope Project, was developed by a team from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University) and has been six years in the making.
Researchers say the treatment is harmless to the animals and could revolutionize efforts to stem illegal wildlife trafficking.
“At least one rhino is still being poached every day,” said Professor James Larkin, who leads the Rhisotope team at Wits. “This approach gives us a proactive tool to fight back—before the horns ever leave the country.”
South Africa is home to the world’s largest rhino population, yet it remains a hotspot for poaching, with over 400 rhinos killed annually since 2021, according to conservation charity Save the Rhino.
The radioactive tagging method, tested on 20 rhinos during a pilot study, proved safe for the animals while offering a powerful detection advantage: horns laced with the isotope can be identified even inside full shipping containers.
The project was developed in partnership with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and cost approximately £220,000 ($290,000).
A Disruptive Tool in the Fight Against Poaching
Experts say that while Rhisotope may not solve the poaching crisis on its own, it could disrupt trafficking routes and generate critical data for enforcement.
“It’s innovative and much needed,” said Jamie Joseph, founder of Saving the Wild, a conservation group. “It’s not the endgame—only better legislation and political will can end the crisis. But this will help track illegal shipments and shine a light on trafficking networks.”
High Stakes for Africa’s Rhinos
Rhino horns—composed of keratin, the same protein found in human nails—are prized in some Asian markets where they are used in traditional medicine and as status symbols.
This demand fuels organized crime syndicates that smuggle horns across borders.
White rhinos, while still threatened, have more stable populations compared to black rhinos, which are classified as critically endangered.
“By deploying this technology at scale, we’re not just protecting individual rhinos,” said Jessica Babich, head of the Rhisotope Project. “We’re protecting a symbol of African wildlife and a crucial part of our natural heritage.”
The team behind Rhisotope now hopes to scale up the program across major conservation areas in Africa.
