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South African rhino horns turned radioactive to fight poachers South African rhino horns turned radioactive to fight poachers
(about 5 hours later)
Professor James Larkin, pictured with a rhino that had just been injected, says the process is completely safe "This could be the holy grail:" Watch the Rhisotope team prepare to inject a rhino's horn with radioactive material
South African scientists have launched an anti-poaching campaign in which rhino's horns will be injected with a radioactive material.South African scientists have launched an anti-poaching campaign in which rhino's horns will be injected with a radioactive material.
The group, from the University of the Witwatersrand, said the process is harmless to rhinos but will allow customs officers to detect smuggled horns as they're transported across the world.The group, from the University of the Witwatersrand, said the process is harmless to rhinos but will allow customs officers to detect smuggled horns as they're transported across the world.
South Africa has the largest rhino population in the world, and hundreds of the animals are poached there every year.South Africa has the largest rhino population in the world, and hundreds of the animals are poached there every year.
The university's venture, called the Rhisotope Project, was launched on Friday after six years of research and testing. The university's venture, called the Rhisotope Project, cost around £220,000 ($290,000) and involved six years of research and testing.
"Our goal is to deploy the Rhisotope technology at scale to help protect one of Africa's most iconic and threatened species," said Jessica Babich, head of the Rhisotope Project. "At least one animal a day is still being poached," James Larkin, a Wits University professor involved in the project, told the BBC.
"I think the figures are only going to go one way if we don't watch out.... this is a significant tool to help reduce the numbers of poaching, because we're proactive rather than being reactive."
Prof Larkin added that the pilot study, which involved 20 rhinos, confirmed that the radioactive material was "completely safe" for the animals.
Jessica Babich, head of the Rhisotope Project, said: "Our goal is to deploy the Rhisotope technology at scale to help protect one of Africa's most iconic and threatened species."
"By doing so, we safeguard not just rhinos but a vital part of our natural heritage.""By doing so, we safeguard not just rhinos but a vital part of our natural heritage."
Tests conducted in the pilot study, which involved 20 rhinos, confirmed that the radioactive material was not harmful to the animals. The Wits University researchers, who collaborated with the International Atomic Energy Agency, found that horns could even be detected inside full 40-foot (six-metre) shipping containers.
"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," said James Larkin a professor at Wits University who is also part of the project.
The Wits University researchers, who collaborated with the International Atomic Energy Agency, found horns could even be detected inside full 40-foot (six-metre) shipping containers.
Each year since 2021, more than 400 rhinos have been poached in South Africa, says conservation charity Save the Rhino.Each year since 2021, more than 400 rhinos have been poached in South Africa, says conservation charity Save the Rhino.
The horns of African rhinos are often exported to Asian markets were they are used in traditional medicine and also seen as a status symbol.The horns of African rhinos are often exported to Asian markets were they are used in traditional medicine and also seen as a status symbol.
White rhinos are considered threatened, while black rhinos are critically endangered.White rhinos are considered threatened, while black rhinos are critically endangered.
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Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.
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