Scientists In South Africa Make Rhino Horns Radioactive To Stop Poaching

Last Updated:August 01, 2025, 20:43 IST

Scientists in South Africa injected radioactive material into rhino horns to combat illegal trade.

The initiative, known as the Rhisotope Project, is being led by researchers at the University of the Witwatersrand.

Scientists in South Africa have begun injecting radioactive material into the horns of live rhinos to make them detectable at border security checkpoints in an attempt to combat illegal wildlife trade. The initiative, known as the Rhisotope Project, is being led by researchers at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.

The university announced that it had received operational approval to proceed following six years of research and safety trials. Scientists said that the method is harmless to the animals and could significantly boost efforts to prevent the smuggling of rhino horn.

Professor James Larkin, Director of the university’s Radiation and Health Physics Unit and Chief Scientific Officer of the Rhisotope Project, said, “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."

Rhino horns are highly prized on the black market, particularly in parts of Asia, where they are used in traditional medicine or displayed as status symbols. This has led to a surge in poaching across southern Africa, with South Africa- home to the world’s largest rhino population- losing over 10,000 rhinos in the last decade alone.

According to government figures, 103 rhinos were poached in South Africa in the first three months of 2025. The Rhisotope Project has received backing from the Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which supports the use of nuclear technology in areas such as health, energy, and security.

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said, “This project exemplifies how nuclear science can be applied in novel ways to address global challenges. By leveraging existing nuclear security infrastructure, we can help protect one of the world’s most iconic and endangered species."

Researchers said that they used a method known as biological dosimetry, examining blood samples for signs of cellular damage. Further testing has also confirmed that even horns concealed within full-size shipping containers can be detected using standard radiation scanning equipment.

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News world Scientists In South Africa Make Rhino Horns Radioactive To Stop Poaching

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