At Mirion, we are committed to supporting safety around ionizing radiation as it’s harnessed to make a positive impact on the world. One exciting and innovative application of nuclear science and technology is The Rhisotope Project, a pioneering conservation effort led by a team from the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa, and their collaborators. Mirion is proud to support this initiative with technology to enhance safety for the project team.

The Rhisotope Project: A Novel Approach to Rhino Conservation

The Rhisotope Project is an initiative designed to combat the illegal poaching of rhinoceroses, a critical issue that has threatened these magnificent animals for decades. The project involves injecting rhino horns with safe but traceable radioisotopes, making them detectable by radiation scanners at international borders and making them less desirable to the end users. This approach helps law enforcement agencies identify and intercept illegal horn trafficking, which is a significant threat to rhino populations. By making the horns less valuable to poachers, the project hopes to reduce the number of rhinos killed each year and contribute to their long-term survival.

(Left) Prof. Larkin, team members and sponsors inserting radioisotopes into the horn of a rhino; (Right) Mr. Arrie Van Deventer, Founder and CEO of The Rhino Orphanage, with one of his rhinos that has received radioisotopes from The Rhisotope team.

Safety and Dose Measurement Precision

Safety is a paramount concern in any project involving radioactive materials. Mirion’s Dosimetry Services division, which offers products and services to monitor exposure to radiation in the workplace, donated three Instadose^®+ Wireless Dosimeter badges to the Rhisotope Project. These badges provide accurate dose readings on-demand, allowing team members to track their exposure to radiation and take necessary precautions.

Instadose^®+ On-Demand Dosimeter

Prof. James Larkin, a leading expert in radiation and health physics at the University of Witwatersrand, emphasized the importance of our contribution: “The donation is a very important part of the tool kit that the insertion team requires to operate in a safe manner. Small in size but large in impact.”

(Left) Prof. Larkin overseeing the team; (Right) Arrie Van Deventer and Prof. Larkin working together to insert radioisotopes into the horn of one of the Orphanage’s rhinos.

Community Empowerment and Education

The Rhisotope Project is not just about the technical application of nuclear science. It also includes community empowerment and education programs. By involving local communities in the conservation efforts, the project aims to build a sustainable and long-term solution to the poaching crisis. These programs educate community members about the importance of rhino conservation and the role of nuclear technology in protecting these animals, creating rhino ambassadors and champions.

Mission-Driven Contribution

Mirion and the Mirion Dosimetry Services division are proud to have played a small part in ensuring the safety of teams leading this conservation effort. The Rhisotope Project is helping to shape a new way to protect rhinos, while demonstrating the vast potential of nuclear technology to solve real-world problems.

President of the Mirion Dosimetry Services, Louis Biacchi shares: “Our donation to The Rhisotope Project underscores Mirion’s commitment to using our expertise and technology to address pressing environmental issues. The Rhisotope Project is a prime example of how nuclear science can be applied to solve complex conservation challenges, and we are honored to be a part of it.”