The University of Witwatersrand in South Africa launched the Rhisotope Project, injecting five rhinos with radioactive isotopes to deter poaching. These isotopes, harmless to the animals, allow customs agents to detect rhino horns at borders and airports. Last year's trials successfully detected horns even within shipping containers. The project aims to expand to the country's 16,000 rhino population to combat the yearly poaching of around 500 rhinos, a significant threat to the globally dwindling rhino population of roughly 27,000.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.