Scientists are working to combat rhino poaching by implanting radioactive isotopes into rhino horns.
In 2023, rhino poaching reached alarming levels with 499 rhinos killed, marking an 11% increase compared to 2022. In light of this situation, conservationists are striving to find measures to prevent further deterioration.
Scientists implant radioactive substances into rhino horns to combat poachers. (Photo: Twitter).
Although there is no scientific evidence that rhino horn has medicinal properties, it has become a target for poachers due to demand in traditional medicine, especially in Asia.
Reports indicate that the value of these horns, by weight, exceeds that of cocaine or gold. Such “outrageously” high value has driven poachers to intensify their hunts for this species.
Previously, to protect rhinos from poaching, their horns were sawed off, but this practice has faced condemnation due to the harm caused to the animals by using saws.
The new method involves implanting two small chips into the rhino horns, which emit enough radiation to trigger detectors but do not harm the health of the animals. Scientists hope that radioactive rhino horns will help prevent poaching without affecting the rhinos themselves.
Of course, poachers cannot tell which rhinos have radioactive horns, so scientists hope to deter poachers from attempting to kill other rhinos.
Furthermore, rhinos are not the only animals at risk of extinction due to poaching. Whales are also severely threatened, especially as whale meat becomes increasingly popular in Japan. Scientists are eagerly looking for new protective measures to prevent over-exploitation of high-risk species.
