With the Rhisotope Project officially up and running, it represents a huge step forward in the battle against rhino poaching. This program has been focused on saving rhinos—creatures that for years have been heavily threatened by the black market trade in their horns—by employing nuclear technology. After six years of concentrated research and development, the project has come to fruition. It has since become home to an amazing collaboration of Wits University and many other experts from different fields and backgrounds.
One such idea proposed by the Rhisotope Project would use radioactivity to keep rhinos protected from poachers by introducing low levels of radioactive material into the horns of rhinos. Her novel approach is keeping these majestic creatures alive in unique ways. It takes advantage of pre-existing nuclear security infrastructure to amplify its reach. South Africa, which has the world’s largest population of rhinos, is leading the way on this innovative and historic initiative.
Project Overview and Pilot Phase
The Rhisotope Project has been peer-reviewed and trial-tested all the way since its inception. This diligent effort was rewarded with a successful initial phase, during which CRT staff implanted radioactive material into the horns of 20 rhinos inhabiting UNESCO’s Waterberg Biosphere. The outcomes of this phase showed that no harm would come to the animals used, securing our project’s pledge to protecting animal welfare.
Chief Scientific Officer of the Rhisotope Project, Professor James Larkin, emphasized the safety of the process. In addition to his role at KST, he’s the Director of the Radiation and Health Physics Unit at Wits University.
“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.” – Professor James Larkin
The project’s capacity to identify single horns was underscored during the pilot phase. This fundamental technical skill is the key to keeping illegal trade at bay—even if they are stuffed into full 40-ft shipping containers.
Technological Innovation and Security Measures
The Rhisotope Project uses radioisotopes as a method to guarantee that rhino horns can be traced back to the appropriate source when they are shipped. Modeling for the test phase included a number of different transport configurations such as personal carry-on luggage and larger air cargo shipments. In each case, even one horn with a dose of radioactivity that’s less than what is detectable from consumer products set off alarms in radiation detectors.
This capability underscores the project’s potential impact on curbing illegal poaching operations by ensuring that detected horns can be tracked back to their source.
“We simulated transport scenarios with the 3D-printed horns on carry-on luggage, air cargo shipments and priority parcel delivery systems and in each case, even a single horn with significantly lower levels of radioactivity than what will be used in practice successfully triggered alarms in radiation detectors.” – Professor James Larkin
The partnership between Wits University, the private sector, and civil society showcases a new model for conservation and environmental protection. Welcoming the announcement, Wits University’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Zeblon Vilakazi commended the work of researchers who participated in the project.
Collaborative Efforts for Conservation
It is backed by highly respected, internationally recognized leaders in science related to nuclear policy. Rafael Mariano Grossi, the IAEA’s Director General, recognized the importance of the project in using nuclear science to help tackle urgent global challenges.
“This is just one example of how Wits University’s researchers work and think innovatively, stepping out of the clinical environments of their laboratories to bring bold, creative solutions to some of the world’s toughest challenges—often going above and beyond in their commitment to make a real difference.” – Professor Zeblon Vilakazi
He noted that this project could be a turning hammer for saving one of the world’s most iconic and endangered species. Through smart use of the existing nuclear security infrastructure, we can be far more effective.
“This project exemplifies how nuclear science can be applied in novel ways to address global challenges.” – Rafael Mariano Grossi
He further stated that by leveraging existing nuclear security infrastructure, this project could play a critical role in safeguarding one of the world’s most iconic and endangered species.
“By leveraging existing nuclear security infrastructure, we can help protect one of the world’s most iconic and endangered species.” – Rafael Mariano Grossi