MOKOPANE, South Africa — A South African university has initiated an innovative anti-poaching campaign aimed at protecting rhinos by injecting their horns with harmless radioactive isotopes. This initiative, known as the Rhisotope Project, was launched on Thursday in collaboration with the University of the Witwatersrand, nuclear energy officials, and conservationists.

In the first phase of the project, five rhinos were injected with the isotopes, marking the beginning of a larger effort to safeguard the declining rhino population. Last year, approximately 20 rhinos at a sanctuary underwent similar trials, which laid the groundwork for this new campaign. The radioactive isotopes are designed to be detectable by radiation detectors at airports and borders, which could help authorities apprehend poachers and traffickers.

Researchers from the Radiation and Health Physics Unit at the University of the Witwatersrand have confirmed that the isotopes pose no harm to the rhinos. James Larkin, the chief scientific officer for the Rhisotope Project, stated, "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." He added that even a single horn with lower levels of radioactivity than what will be used in practice successfully triggered alarms in radiation detectors.

The tests also indicated that the horns could be detected even when concealed inside full 40-foot shipping containers. The International Union for Conservation of Nature reports that the global rhino population has plummeted from around 500,000 at the start of the 20th century to approximately 27,000 today, largely due to the persistent demand for rhino horns on the black market.

South Africa is home to the largest population of rhinos, estimated at 16,000. However, the country faces significant challenges with poaching, with about 500 rhinos killed annually for their horns. In light of these alarming statistics, the university is encouraging private wildlife park owners and national conservation authorities to participate in the injection program to help protect these endangered animals.