Scientists are trying to stop rhino poaching by implanting radioactive isotopes into rhino horns.
In 2023, rhino poaching reached alarming levels with 499 animals killed, an increase of 11% compared to 2022. Given this situation, conservationists are trying to find ways to prevent it before the situation gets worse.
Scientists implant radioactive substances into rhino horns to fight poachers (Photo: Twitter).
Although there is no scientific evidence that rhino horns have medicinal uses, they have become a target for poachers due to demand for their use in traditional medicine, especially in Asia.
Reports say these horns are worth more by weight than cocaine or gold. Such “crazy” high value has motivated poachers to increase their hunt for the animal.
Previously, to protect rhinos from poaching, their horns were sawed off, but this was condemned by many people because sawing off the horns required using a saw and was harmful to the rhinos.
The new method involves implanting two small chips into rhino horns that emit radiation strong enough to trigger the detectors but do not harm the animals’ health. Scientists hope that radioactive rhino horns will help deter poaching without harming the animals.
Of course, poachers can’t tell which rhinos have radioactive horns, so scientists hope to deter poachers from trying to kill other rhinos as well.
Rhinos are not the only animals threatened by poaching. Whales are also under serious threat, especially due to the growing popularity of whale meat in Japan. Scientists are looking forward to new protections to prevent over-hunting of endangered species.
