South African scientists have launched an anti -poaching campaign in which rhino horns will be injected with a radioactive material.
The group of Vitwatorsrand University stated that the process is harmless to rhinoceros, but the customs will allow officers to detect smuggled horn as they are taken worldwide.
South Africa has the largest Rhino population in the world, and hundreds of animals are poisoned every year.
The venture of a university called Rhisotope Project was started on Friday after six years of research and testing.
“Our goal is to deploy the resotope technique to help save one of Africa’s most prestigious and danger species,” said Jessica Babich, head of the Rosotop project.
“By doing this, we not only protect rhinos, but are an important part of our natural heritage.”
Pilot studies, which included 20 rhinoceros, confirmed that radioactive materials were not harmful to animals.
“We beyond scientific doubt, this process, this process is completely safe for the animal and effective in detecting the horn through the international customs nuclear security systems,” said James Larkin, a professor at the University of Wits.
The horns of African rhinos are often exported to Asian markets, they are used in traditional medicine and are also seen as a position symbol.
White rhinoceros is considered a threat, while black rhinos are severely threatened.
