Innovative Nuclear Science Initiative Launched to Combat Rhino Poaching in South Africa

In a groundbreaking effort to combat rampant rhino poaching, South Africa’s University of the Witwatersrand, supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has commenced the full-scale implementation of the Rhisotope Project, a pioneering initiative that leverages nuclear technology to deter and detect wildlife trafficking.

South Africa, home to the largest rhinoceros population worldwide, faces an escalating poaching crisis driven by illegal trade, primarily for rhino horns. More than 10,000 rhinos have been lost over the past decade, severely impacting global biodiversity. According to the latest report by South Africa’s Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, 103 rhinos were killed by poachers within just the first three months of 2025.

In response to this urgent threat, the Rhisotope Project integrates the strategic use of radioactive isotopes, safely inserted into rhino horns, making them traceable and detectable through existing nuclear security measures. This approach represents a significant advancement in the use of nuclear science for wildlife conservation, exploiting radiation portal monitors (RPMs) already installed globally at borders, airports, and seaports to detect the unauthorized movement of nuclear or radioactive substances.

Officially initiated in 2021 after two years of preliminary testing and research, the Rhisotope Project completed an extensive pilot phase, including rigorous safety assessments led by international experts. In June last year, radioisotopes were carefully inserted into the horns of 20 rhinos. Researchers from Ghent University in Belgium conducted comprehensive health monitoring, including cytological evaluations on both treated rhinos and untreated controls. Results conclusively showed no adverse effects, confirming the procedure is safe and non-invasive.

“The international collaboration on the Rhisotope Project represents a transformative approach to wildlife protection,” said James Larkin, Director of the Radiation and Health Physics Unit at the University of the Witwatersrand. “Our objective was clear: utilize radiation to protect, not harm. By converting rhino horns into traceable items through existing global nuclear security infrastructure, we are creating a substantial barrier to poachers and illegal traffickers.”

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi emphasized the innovative use of nuclear science in addressing global challenges. "The Rhisotope Project exemplifies how existing nuclear security infrastructure can be repurposed effectively," Grossi noted. "By extending our nuclear detection capabilities into wildlife protection, we demonstrate the vast, untapped potential of nuclear science beyond traditional applications."

The official rollout of the project was marked by an event held in Waterberg, Limpopo Province, approximately 250 kilometers north of Johannesburg. The event featured detailed presentations of the project's methodologies, results from safety assessments, and strategies for international cooperation and coordination.

Looking beyond rhinos, the project holds considerable promise for the protection of other endangered species vulnerable to trafficking. “The methodology we've developed has potential applications far beyond rhinos,” Larkin explained. “Elephants, pangolins, and other endangered species facing similar threats from illegal wildlife trade could benefit immensely from this technology.”

The IAEA's involvement provides essential technical and financial backing, framed within its Coordinated Research Project titled "Facilitation of Safe and Secure Trade Using Nuclear Detection Technology – Detection of Radioactive and Other Contraband." The project also includes the deployment of the IAEA’s Minimum Detectable Quantity and Alarm Threshold Estimation Tool, enhancing the effectiveness of radiation detection.

Elena Buglova, Director of the IAEA Division of Nuclear Security, highlighted the broader implications of the initiative: "The Rhisotope Project activates the global nuclear security network in a completely novel way. Leveraging existing infrastructure for wildlife protection underscores how investment in nuclear security contributes broadly to international conservation and global security."

The successful implementation of the Rhisotope Project is expected to significantly curtail rhino poaching, signaling a powerful new frontier in global conservation efforts powered by innovative nuclear technology.