In South Africa, a groundbreaking method has been developed by biologists and scientists to protect rhinos from poaching while allowing them to retain their horns.
The traditional approach of de-horning rhinos, which was widely practiced to deter poachers, has been found to disrupt the animals' social structures, leading to significant negative impacts on their well-being.
However, a new strategy involving the use of radioactive isotopes offer a promising solution to this ongoing crisis.
De-horning rhinos was once seen as a necessary evil to protect these majestic animals from poachers who hunt them for their valuable horns. By removing the horn, conservationists hoped to make the rhino less attractive to poachers, thereby reducing the risk of them being killed.
But this approach also has its drawbacks. The absence of a horn not only interferes with the rhinos' ability to defend themselves but also disrupts their social interactions, which can be crucial for their survival and reproduction.
The social structure of rhinos is complex, and their horns play a significant role in their behavior, including dominance, mating, and territory defense. Without their horns, rhinos can struggle to maintain their place within their groups, leading to increased stress and potential conflicts. Recognizing these issues, researchers have sought alternative methods that would allow rhinos to keep their horns while still discouraging poachers.
At a rhino nursey in the northern province of Limpopo, scientists have implemented a novel technique that involves embedding radioactive isotopes into the horns of live rhinos. This innovative approach is designed to create a powerful deterrent for poachers by making the horns traceable through radiation detection. The isotopes emit a low level of radiation, which is harmless to the rhinos but can be detected by global networks of radiation monitors, particularly at international borders.
The effectiveness of this method lies in its ability to leave a traceable radioactive signature on the horn and on anything that comes into contact with it. Even if poachers manage to remove the horn or dismantle tracking devices, the radiation remains detectable, making it significantly easier for authorities to intercept and identify trafficked rhino horns. This approach provides a superior form of tracking compared to traditional methods.
The project has been spearheaded by nuclear researchers at the University of the Witwatersrand's Radiation and Health Physics Unit in South Africa. These experts have successfully injected 20 live rhinos with the radioactive isotopes, marking a significant step forward in the fight against poaching.
Professor James Larkin, who heads the project, told Africa News, "We are doing this because it makes it significantly easier to intercept these horns as they are being trafficked over international borders because there is a global network of radiation monitors that have been designed to prevent nuclear terrorism. And we're piggybacking on the back of that."
Professor Larkin emphasizes the urgent need for innovation in poaching prevention, noting that all existing methods have limitations. Despite various efforts, South Africa continues to lose tens of rhinos each year to poaching, underscoring the critical need for new and effective strategies.
One of the key concerns in implementing this new method was the potential impact of radiation on the rhinos themselves. However, Professor Nithaya Chetty, dean of the science faculty at the University of the Witwatersrand, assured that the dosage of radioactivity used is very low and has been extensively tested to ensure it poses no harm to the animals. This careful consideration of the rhinos' safety ensures that the new method not only protects them from poachers but also preserves their well-being.
The illegal trade in rhino horns is driven largely by demand from criminal groups in Asia, where the horns are mistakenly believed to possess therapeutic properties. Unlike elephant ivory, which is valued for its use in sculpture and craft, rhino horn is trafficked primarily for its supposed medicinal benefits, despite there being no scientific evidence to support these claims. This misinformation fuels a lucrative black market, making rhino horn one of the most sought-after products in the illegal wildlife trade.