Rhisotope Project: South Africa Uses Radioactive Isotopes to Protect Rhinos from Poaching

5 Aug 2025

Rhisotope Project: South Africa Uses Radioactive Isotopes to Protect Rhinos from Poaching

A South African university has launched the “Rhisotope Project”, which uses radioactive isotopes to protect rhinos by making their horns traceable and undesirable to poachers.

About Rhinos

  • There are 5 species of rhinoceros in the world: 2 African species (White Rhino and Black Rhino)  3 Asian Species (Indian Rhino, Sumatran Rhino and Javan Rhino)
  • Rhinos in India: 
    • Main Species: Greater One-Horned Rhino (Indian Rhino)
    • Population (2024): Approx. 3,700 (as per International Rhino Foundation)
    • Key Protected Areas: Kaziranga National Park, Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary
    • Indian Rhino: Schedule I under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (India)
  • Conservation Efforts in India:
    • Major Programs: Project Rhino, Indian Rhino Vision 2020
    • National Rhino Conservation Strategy (2019): Framework to protect and conserve the Greater One-Horned Rhino
    • DNA Profiling of Rhinos: Helps curb poaching and strengthen wildlife crime investigations
    • New Delhi Declaration on Asian Rhinos: Signed by India, Bhutan, Nepal, Indonesia, and Malaysia for conservation collaboration

African Rhino Asian Rhino
Appearance & Behaviour

  • Less armoured appearance
  • More aggressive in nature
  • Two horns
  • Poor swimmers; prefer mud wallowing
  • Fights using horns
  • Feeds low to the ground (grazers)
Appearance & Behaviour

  • Heavily armoured look (thick folded skin)
  • Less aggressive
  • One horn (Indian, Javan), two horns (Sumatran)
  • Good swimmers
  • Fights using bottom teeth
  • Browses on tall grasses, shrubs, and leaves
Habitat: Found in grasslands, savannas, shrublands, and deserts Habitat: Asian Rhino: Lives in tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannahs, and moist forests
Size: White Rhino is the second-largest land mammal after the elephant Indian Rhino is the largest among Asian rhino species.
Conservation Status: 

  • White Rhino: Near Threatened
  • Black Rhino: Critically Endangered
Conservation Status: 

  • Indian Rhino: Vulnerable
  • Sumatran Rhino: Critically Endangered
  • Javan Rhino: Critically Endangered

About the Rhisotope Project

  • Launch: Initiated by the University of the Witwatersrand, supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
  • Implementation: Five rhinos were administered radioactive isotope injections in the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve.

How Isotope Tagging Works?

  • Definition: Radioactive isotopes are unstable forms of elements that emit radiation and transform into stable forms, making them traceable and detectable.
  • Procedure: 
    • Low doses of radioactive isotopes are injected through a non-invasive procedure into rhino horns.
    • Enables detection by Radiation Portal Monitors (RPMs) at borders, ports, and airports, which are used to identify unauthorised nuclear material.
  • Testing Process:
    • Researchers used 3D-printed rhino horns that mimic real keratin to test detection in full 40-foot shipping containers.
    • The process proved successful in allowing customs agents to detect horns, making smuggling more difficult.
  • Effect on Rhinos and Humans:  The isotope tagging is completely safe for rhinos and renders the horn “useless” and “poisonous” to humans.
  • Advantages of Rhisotope Project:
    • Considered less disruptive than dehorning.
    • Functions as a preventive and detection-based deterrent, rather than a physical alteration.

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
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