Researchers in South Africa have conducted a study where they injected radioactive material into the horns of 20 rhinos in an attempt to reduce poaching. The goal is for radiation detectors at national borders to pick up on the radioactive horns, leading to the arrest of poachers and traffickers. The research involved veterinarians and nuclear experts, with the rhinos being tranquilized before the radioactive material was inserted into their horns. The University of the Witwatersrand's Radiation and Health Physics Unit in South Africa carried out the injection of isotopes into 20 live rhinos, aiming to extend this method to protect other vulnerable species like elephants and pangolins. Professor James Larkin, leading the project, stated that by utilizing the global network of radiation monitors designed to prevent nuclear terrorism, they can intercept trafficked horns more effectively.

The global rhino population has significantly declined due to the demand for rhino horns on the black market, with approximately 27,000 rhinos remaining compared to 500,000 at the start of the 20th century. South Africa, home to an estimated 16,000 rhinos, experiences high rates of poaching, with over 500 rhinos killed yearly. Although rhino poaching decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, numbers have risen following the relaxation of lockdown restrictions.

While the research has garnered support, critics have raised ethical concerns regarding the method's effectiveness in deterring poachers. Pelham Jones, chairperson of the Private Rhino Owners Association, doubts the method's ability to prevent illegal trafficking, citing alternative routes used by poachers to avoid border crossings. Professor Nithaya Chetty, dean of the science faculty at Witwatersrand, assured that the radioactivity dosage is minimal and extensively tested for negative impact on the animals.