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Radioactive Rhino Horns
Context
South African scientists have initiated a pioneering project ‘Rhisotope’ to inject radioactive material into live rhino horns, aiming to deter poaching by making the horns easier to detect at border posts.
Key Highlights of the Initiative
- Project Name: Rhisotope project
- Goal: to deter poachers who kill the animals for their horns
- Method: Injection of low-dose radioactive material into rhino horns
- Detection: Radioactive material detectable by radiation detectors at international borders
- Duration: Radioactive material expected to last 5 years on the horn
Reasons Behind Rhino Poaching
- Demand in Asian Markets: Rhino horns used in traditional medicine
- High Black Market Value: Horn prices rival gold and cocaine by weight
- Poverty and Unemployment: Drives local involvement in poaching
- Weak Law Enforcement: Inadequate anti-poaching measures in some areas
- Impact of Rhino Poaching
- Population Decline: 499 rhinos killed in South Africa in 2023, an 11% increase from 2022
- Ecosystem Imbalance: Rhinos play a crucial role in maintaining savanna ecosystems
- Economic Losses: Affects wildlife tourism and local economies
- International Relations: Strains between source and demand countries
Potential Benefits |
Concerns and Limitations |
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UPSC Mains Practice Question
Q. Evaluate the effectiveness of international efforts to combat wildlife trafficking. Suggest innovative measures that could be adopted to strengthen the global response to this issue.
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