In a groundbreaking initiative, Professor James Larkin from Wits University and Suzanne Boswell have launched the Rhisotope Project, aimed at tackling the global black market for rhino horns. Since its inception in 2021, the project has focused on embedding small radioactive chips into the horns of living rhinos. While the idea may seem unconventional, it holds promise for curbing poaching and protecting vulnerable rhino populations, alongside disrupting international criminal networks.

Endangered Species at Risk

Among the five rhino species, three are critically endangered, facing severe threats primarily from habitat destruction and poaching. The Sumatran rhino has seen its habitat shrink significantly, now confined to a few protected regions in Sumatra and Borneo, with fewer than 50 individuals estimated to be alive today. In the 1960s, black rhinos numbered around 100,000 in southern Africa but plummeted by 80% in the following decades, with current estimates around 6,000, thanks to conservation efforts.

The Javan rhino has similarly dwindled, existing only in isolated parts of Indonesia, with their numbers increasing from 25 to 76 since the 1960s—a figure insufficient for long-term survival. The Southern White rhino has rebounded from nearly extinction in the late 19th century, but the Northern White rhino's situation is dire, with only two females remaining after the last male died in 2018. The Indian rhino, on the other hand, has seen a dramatic recovery, increasing from 40 individuals in the 1960s to about 4,000 today.

Despite conservation efforts, poaching remains a significant threat, with nearly 500 rhinos poached in South Africa alone in 2022. The vast majority of the world’s rhinos reside in South Africa, making it the epicenter of the poaching crisis, and many experts believe this battle is increasingly unwinnable.

The Economics of Poaching

Poaching is fueled by immense financial incentives, with the global black market for wildlife trafficking valued in the trillions. Rhino horn alone is estimated to be worth around $100 million annually, with wholesale illicit income from the trade reaching between $874 million and $1.13 billion over a decade. Poachers typically enter large national parks, such as Kruger, to harvest rhino horns, with many motivated by dire economic circumstances.

Once procured, rhino horns primarily find their way to markets in China and Vietnam, where they are transformed into various products despite having no proven medical benefits. Attempts to undermine the black market through synthetic alternatives have faced significant skepticism, as conservationists argue these could inadvertently increase demand.

Horn-trimming, a practice where rhinos are sedated for safe horn removal, has also been contentious, with mixed opinions on its effectiveness as a deterrent against poaching.

Innovative Solutions: Radioactive Rhino Horns

The Rhisotope Project proposes a unique solution: drilling into live rhino horns to implant radioactive chips and marking them with microdots. This approach aims to deter potential consumers due to the health risks associated with radioactive materials while also aiding in detection at international borders where radiation scanners could identify smuggled horns.

Researchers have employed CT scans to develop a 3D model of rhino heads, determining a safe level of radiation that poses no harm to the animals while being detectable. A pilot study is already underway, with 20 rhinos receiving this treatment, monitored closely for their health.

A Broader Impact

Jessica Babich encapsulates the project's ethos: “It’s all about science saving rhinos, rhinos saving people, and people saving rhinos — a beautiful trilogy of possibility and success.” The initiative transcends rhino conservation; it touches on the preservation of entire ecosystems. Rhinos, as keystone species, play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance by creating water sources and enriching soil.

Furthermore, the economic implications of rhino conservation are substantial. Ecotourism, a key driver of revenue in Africa, could suffer significantly from declining rhino populations. Between 2006 and 2014, rhino poaching resulted in a loss of tourism income estimated at €205.76 million to €230.76 million. For countries reliant on tourism, such as Tanzania, this could be catastrophic.

Addressing the rhino poaching crisis also weakens international crime networks that exploit the illegal wildlife trade to fund other criminal activities detrimental to society.

With collaboration from organizations like Colorado State University and the Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa, the Rhisotope Project is advancing with the hope that radioactive rhino horns will not only safeguard these endangered species but also contribute positively to ecosystems and humanity.

Originally published at http://thehappyneuron.com on August 14, 2024.