Archive · 1 Aug 2025
South Africa Injects Rhinos with Radioactive Material to Combat Poaching
Scientists in South Africa are using a special trick to protect rhinos from poachers.
They are injecting the rhinos' horns with a tiny bit of radioactive stuff.
This won't hurt the rhinos at all!
The goal is to make the horns easier to spot if someone tries to smuggle them.
Customs agents around the world can use special machines to find the radioactive horns, making it harder for poachers to sell them.
The project, which has been tested and is safe, is backed by a global atomic energy group, and will help save these amazing animals.
South African scientists are injecting rhino horns with radioactive material to deter poachers.
The 'Rhisotope Project' aims to make smuggled horns detectable via international customs systems.
The project received approval after six years of research, and is deemed harmless to rhinos.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) supports the project, which began with five rhinos.
South Africa has lost over 10,000 rhinos to poaching in the last decade.
- Who
- Scientists at the University of the Witwatersrand.
- What
- Scientists are injecting radioactive material into rhino horns to combat poaching and wildlife trafficking.
- When
- The project received operational approval on Friday (August 1) after six years of research and testing.
- Where
- South Africa.
- Why
- To deter poachers and allow authorities to detect smuggled horns.
- Project Name
- Rhisotope Project
- Objective
- Deter poaching and detect smuggled horns
- Method
- Injecting radioactive material into horns
- Safety
- Harmless to rhinos
- Supporter
- International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
- Rhinos Poached (Past Decade)
- Over 10,000
- Rhinos Poached (Q1 2025)
- 103