South African rhino have become radioactive to fight poachers

South African scientists have launched a campaign to combat promotions in which the horn of the rhino will be injected with radioactive material.

A group at the University of Vitvatersrand said the process is harmless to rhino, but will allow customs officers to discover smuggled horns while being transported worldwide.

South Africa has the largest population of rhino in the world, and hundreds of animals are scrapped there every year.

The university’s endeavor, called the Rhisotope project, cost about 220,000 British pounds ($ 290,000) and included six years of research and tests.

“At least one animal a day is still scrambling,” said James Larkin, a professor at the Whits University involved in the project, told the BBC.

“I think the numbers will only start in one way if we are not careful …. This is an important tool to help reduce the number of poaching because we are active, not reactive.”

Prof. Larkin added that a pilot survey, which included 20 rhinos, confirmed that the radioactive material was “completely safe” for animals.

WITS University researchers, who have cooperated with the International Atomic Energy Agency, found that the horns could even be found in the full 40-foot (six-meter) delivery containers.

Jamie Joseph, a well -known South African rhino campaign, said the Rhisotope project was “innovative and very necessary”.

“This is not the final game -only the better legislation and the political will can put an end to the rhino crisis. But it will certainly help to violate the flow of horns, leaving the country and helping experts better to outline the illegal channels by providing reliable data,” said Joseph, Director of Savings.

Each year, since 2021, in South Africa, they have been poachers in South Africa, over 400 rhinos are poaching, says the rhino.

Jessica Babic, the Rhisotope project manager, said: “Our goal is to implement Rhisotope technology on a scale to help protect one of the most emblematic and endangered species in Africa.”

“In this way, we protect not only rhinos, but also a vital part of our natural heritage.”

The horns of African rhinos are often exported to Asian markets if used in traditional medicine and are also seen as a symbol of the condition.

White rhinos are considered endangered while black rhinos are critically endangered.