Rhisotope Project:
South African scientists injected radioactive material into live rhinoceros horns under the Rhisotope Project to curb poaching.
- Rhisotope Project was started in 2021 in South Africa.
- It aims to make the rhinoceros horns easier to detect at border posts and render them useless for human consumption.
- The project involves inserting two tiny radioactive chips into the horns of 20 rhinos.
- The low-dose radioactive material is designed to be detectable by radiation sensors at international borders without harming the animals or the environment.
- The radioactive material is expected to last five years on the horn, making it a more cost-effective solution than dehorning every 18 months.
- Additionally, the team sprayed 11,000 microdots on each treated horn for further identification.
- The team of scientists will take follow-up blood samples to ensure the rhinoceroses are effectively protected.
