rhino poaching to get yours horns has become a serious cause for concern. The demand mainly comes from Asia, where these products are used in traditional medicine for their supposed medicinal properties without any scientific evidence. Several African countries have taken action to stop these hunters, but not enough. Although the black rhinoceros population is increasing, it remains endangered. White’s situation is not that serious overall, but the population is in complete declineso it would not be strange if he changed titles in a short time. More extreme measures are needed, so some South African scientists tried to do something as curious as creating horns of these animals. radioactive.
Before we begin, it should be noted that this measure This is not dangerous neither for the animals nor for the environment. The radiation dose is small, but high enough to be detected in detectors at border posts equipped to detect possible nuclear terrorism weapons.
This is currently a pilot plan called Rhinozotope, which involved only 20 animals. Even so, if it is proven to be useful, it will be extended to the rest of the African rhinoceros population. This may be the only way to finally put an end to poaching. Besides, who knows? Perhaps it could be used to interfere with the smuggling of other animals, living or dead.
Emergency measures against rhino poaching
The scientists behind the project inserted two small radioactive chips into the animals’ horns. alive and calmThe procedure is not dangerous for them.
Once their horns are chipped, they can lead normal lives. In the hypothetical event that one of them is poached, their horns will not make it to Asia. At least, that’s the intention. border post detectors They will discover radioactivity in the luggage and proceed to arrest the hunters.
Dose administered to animals takes five years to fall apart. Therefore, during all this time, there will be no need to disturb the peace of the rhinoceroses. They will be marked equally.
Unstable situation
In recent years, poaching has not only not decreased, but has worsened significantly. According to the South African Department of Environment, 499 rhinos were killed for their horns in 2023. This figure 11% higher than in 2022.
For this reason, it is clear that current anti-poaching measures are not enough and more needs to be done.
Radioactive horns could be a solution, but we’ll have to wait to see the results. I hope these animals don’t fall into the hands of a hunter. But if they do, the radioactivity of their horns turns the hunter into the hunted so that it can no longer harm another animal.
Source: Hiper Textual
