Why is it in the news?
- In a groundbreaking effort to combat poaching, South African scientists conducted a project injecting radioactive material into the horns of live rhinoceroses, enabling easier detection at border checkpoints.
More about the news
- The initiative, led by James Larkin from the University of the Witwatersrand, involves implanting radioisotopes to make the horns toxic for human consumption.
- Despite efforts to combat the illegal trade, 499 rhinos were killed in 2023, prompting the pilot ‘Rhisotope’ project to administer a dose to twenty live rhinos for global detection purposes.
- This method aims to curb poaching driven by the high demand for rhinoceros’ horns on black markets, offering a potential breakthrough in wildlife conservation.
| Overview of the Rhisotope Project:
· The Rhisotope Project, initiated in 2021 by Prof. James Larkin and co-founder Suzanne Boswell from the University of Witwatersrand, in collaboration with Russian State Nuclear Energy Corporation (ROSATOM), Colorado State University (USA), and Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), involves scientists globally, rhinoceros’ owners from South Africa, and veterinarians. · Objectives: The primary goal of the project is to investigate the feasibility of using radioactive isotopes to reduce the demand for rhino horns and thereby combat poaching. · Collaborative Effort: Researchers and experts from multiple institutions worldwide are pooling their expertise in radiation and health physics, veterinary sciences, and conservation to develop science-based solutions. · Potential Impact: If successful, the project aims to provide a sustainable method to protect rhinoceros populations by making their horns undesirable for illegal trade, thus contributing to the preservation of this endangered species. |
| Key Facts about Rhinos:
· Rhinos are represented by five distinct species across Africa and Asia. o African Species: Includes the Black Rhino, critically endangered and smaller in size, and the White Rhino, categorized as near threatened. Recent advancements in reproductive technologies have resulted in the creation of a northern white rhino embryo through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). o Asian Species: Comprises the One-Horned Rhino, classified as vulnerable, the Javan Rhino, critically endangered, and the Sumatran Rhino, also critically endangered and extinct in Malaysia. · Conservation Status: o Black Rhino: Critically endangered. o White Rhino: Near Threatened; significant progress in reproductive science for conservation efforts. o One-Horned Rhino: Vulnerable. o Javan Rhino: Critically Endangered. o Sumatran Rhino: Critically Endangered; extinct in Malaysia. o These species face severe threats primarily due to poaching for their horns and habitat loss, emphasizing the critical need for conservation efforts globally. Indian Rhino Overview: · Distribution: Found in the Brahmaputra valley, parts of North Bengal, and southern Nepal. · Characteristics: Largest rhino species with a single black horn up to 60 cm long. Features a tough, grey-brown hide with distinctive skin folds. · Population: Approximately 3,700 Indian rhinos in the wild, with Kaziranga National Park alone housing 2,613 as of March 2022. Other populations in parks like Orang, Pobitora, and Manas. · Habitat: Restricted to small habitats in the Indo-Nepal terai, northern West Bengal, and Assam. Predominantly found in Assam, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh in India. · Protection Status: o IUCN Red List: Vulnerable (Conservation Status: Listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, previously endangered). o CITES: Appendix I. o Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I. · Threats: o Poaching: Rhinos are poached primarily for their horns, which hold significant cultural and medicinal value in some regions. o Ground rhino horn is falsely believed to cure ailments and is used as a status symbol in Vietnam. o Habitat Loss: Destruction and fragmentation of natural habitats due to human encroachment and development. o Population Density: Pressure on rhino populations due to limited space and resources. o Decreasing Genetic Diversity: Threatens the genetic health and resilience of rhino species over time. |
