--- title: "Scientists Implant Radioactive Material Into Horn of Living Rhinoceros to Poison Anyone Who Consumes It" description: "In an effort to make them useless to poachers, researchers are implanting radioactive isotopes into the horns of rhinos in South Africa." date: "2024-06-26" modified: "2024-06-26" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/scientists-implant-radioactive-material-horn-rhinoceros" categories: - "Science & Energy" tags: - "radioactive" - "rhino" - "south africa" - "the digest" --- # Scientists Implant Radioactive Material Into Horn of Living Rhinoceros to Poison Anyone Who Consumes It ![In an effort to make them useless to poachers, researchers are implanting radioactive isotopes into the horns of rhinos in South Africa.]() *\Image: EMMANUEL CROSET/AFP via Getty Images\* ## Warning Horn In an effort to make them useless to poachers, researchers are implanting radioactive isotopes into the horns of rhinos in South Africa. The unusual material would "render the horn useless... essentially poisonous for human consumption," James Larkin, professor and dean of science at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, [told *Agence France-Presse*](). The isotopes would also be "strong enough to set off detectors that are installed globally," Larkin added, referring to hardware that was originally installed to "prevent nuclear terrorism." And in case you're wondering, the "two tiny little radioactive chips in the horn" pose no risks to the animals' health or the local environment, making it an elegant solution to a very real problem. ## Ex Tincture Rhino horns are extremely in demand for their use in traditional medicine, particularly in Asia, despite there being [no scientific evidence]() to support their supposed therapeutic effects. They can be [worth more in weight]() than gold or cocaine. According to *AFP*, 499 rhinos were known to have been killed in 2023, representing an 11 percent increase over 2022. While three species of rhinos remain [critically endangered](), white rhinos in Africa have fortunately made a remarkable recovery after once thought to be extinct, largely thanks to conservation efforts. According to the report, there are about 15,000 rhinos in South Africa. ## Radioactive Rhino Previous efforts, including poisoning or painting the horns, have failed so far. Conservationists have even [resorted to dehorning]() rhinos intentionally since the 1980s to keep them safe from poachers. "We get a lot of criticism for cutting with a chainsaw," University of Neuchâtel PhD candidate and black rhino conservation specialist Vanessa Duthé [told *Discover* last year](), "but it's the best way, the fastest way \[to dehorn\]." However, Larkin is optimistic about his latest attempt. He and his colleagues are planning to implant radioactive isotopes in twenty rhinos. "Maybe this is the thing that will stop poaching," he told *AFP*. "This is the best idea I've ever heard." **More on rhinos:** *[This Rideable Rhinoceros Robot Looks Absolutely Amazing]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()