South Africa’s Rhisotope Project now injects small amounts of radioactive isotopes into rhino horns to deter poaching. Tests on live rhinos showed the material is safe and triggers radiation alarms at airports and borders.
“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 project officer James Larkin.
https://apnews.com/article/south-africa-rhinos-poaching-nuclear-5ac06bea1fba938ee2ce3b1f9bfa5675
“Even a single horn with significantly lower levels of radioactivity than what will be used in practice successfully triggered alarms in radiation detectors,” Larkin added.
https://apnews.com/article/south-africa-rhinos-poaching-nuclear-5ac06bea1fba938ee2ce3b1f9bfa5675
By contrast, a recent study in Science found that dehorning rhinos under sedation cut poaching rates by 78% and cost just about 1% of anti-poaching budgets.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jun/05/dehorning-rhinos-deters-poachers-rangers-helicopters-aoe
This pattern shows two different anti-poaching ideas: radioactive horns meant to catch smugglers, or dehorning to reduce value in the field.
South Africa starts injecting rhino horns with radioactive material to curb poaching. pic.twitter.com/4nYdNWGnlT
— The Associated Press (@AP) July 31, 2025