Why Radioactivity is the Rhino's Last Chance | Back from the Brink

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South Africa is home to more rhinos than any other country. But even here, these giant mammals are under threat. Poaching and a legal domestic market for rhino horns are driving the species to the verge of extinction.
What makes rhino horns so coveted? Why did South Africa legalize their trade? And what could radioactive isotopes have to do with saving this species? We explore the innovative approach hoping to protect an iconic animal from the devastating effects of human greed.
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🔗Sources:
Rhisotope - Saving Rhinos with Science: rhisotope.org/
National Geographic: How the world’s largest rhino population dropped by 70 percent in a Decade:
www.nationalge...
Traffic: Trade in Rhino Horn: www.traffic.or...
National Geographic: Special Investigation: Inside the Deadly Rhino Horn Trade: www.nationalge...
Forbes: The Point Of The Radioactive Rhino: Nuclear Tech To the Rescue In South Africa? : www.forbesafri...
Daily Maverick: Is trouble ahead for South Africa’s private rhino breeders? www.dailymaver...
Rusatom: The Innovative Rhisotope Project Moves to Next Stage After Success of Phase One www.rusatom-ene...
National Geographic: How rhino protectors in South Africa have become a major threat to the species: www.nationalge...

[@Kholmi.28]

I'm from South Africa and not even ten years ago, I'd be driving to the beach (passing through multiple game reserves) and be guaranteed in passing a white rhino or elephants. Now, NOTHING. It's honestly the most heartbreaking reality.😢💔 Thank you to all the conservationists and rangers putting in overtime to protect these beautiful beings❤️‍🔥

[@lenafromterramater3690]

First of all, thank you for sharing this beautiful but heartbreaking story with us! This truly makes this big problem way more clear and gives an understandable example of how bad the situation is 🦏

[@Kholmi.28]

@@lenafromterramater3690 ✨♥️

[@visionsafeagro9153]

Nice

[@RingtailtheRaccoonEd1tz]

@@visionsafeagro9153 Seriously, THATS ALL YOU GOTTA SAY?!?!

[@yusufcanbaz8194]

We need to save these animals

[@rjung_ch]

People need to learn that these myths are not real and do nothing. Education and equality could change the world, but yet we wish more and more every day.

[@mikshinee87]

Before the war, there was evidence of poacher activity in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Now there are bigger problems there of course. If people ordering the horns could be reasoned with, this video wouldn't exist.

[@Nitka022]

Please give us an update! Is this now slowly being implemented in South Africa and elsewhere?. That would be awesome if it works! They need to advertise that horns are radioactive now far and wide! And the rhinos should have huge signs painted on their bodies to advertise the fact. The paints can be reapplied as needed...harmless and cheap follow up of conservation

[@lolnuckle]

"Traditional medicine" in China includes rhino's horn? not sure there were rhinos in China, how is it traditional?

[@terminallove3531]

Question: Won't the radiation harm the Rhino?

[@ThatRandomDude_]

I think no.

[@uhohhotdog]

They answered this in the video

[@Dyejob01]

We need to follow the money trail, and find out who's buying the RINO horns, and then publish those who end up with them.

[@lenafromterramater3690]

Great thought Lynn! 🦏

[@uhohhotdog]

And exterminate

[@eaglgenes101]

For anyone that knows: Why do poachers kill the rhinos outright to get the horns, rather than just sawing them off live animals?

[@clandestinepress9176]

ABSURD!!!

[@sarathes3938]

Just wow!!

[@terramater]

!!

[@amilakavinda8838]

Nice work 🦏🐘❤

[@terramater]

Hi, Amila! Thanks and thanks for watching! :)

[@warpstarrogue3554]

I have concerns of this method for obvious reasons, but I'm intrigued. The possible killing of others through radiation is one thing, but how would this effect the children of these animals?

[@drowjack]

THE MARKET PROVIDES SOLUTION EVERYTIME

[@worldofmonterra]

If they want to put radioactive Isotopes into rhino horns they should just cut off the horn and then put the isotope in that way when they sell it they'll see that it's not worth it much anymore due to the radiation. Poachers don't have radiation detectors so they wouldn't know the Rhino is radioactive they'll still kill the Rhino regardless it's better to cut off The Horn and then place the Isotopes in

[@olafowl5678]

I love Rhinos so much

[@lenafromterramater3690]

We love them too 🦏🥰

[@SunSheepOfLight]

When the Poacher lost his job.

[@igorbukovy4313]

Good luck!

[@zacharyhenderson2902]

I have an idea, let's just grind up our own toenail clippings and flood the market with ride a horn substitute

[@jadzia2098]

What I find so sad is that there is a hight demand for Rhino horns and is used for medecine and no it is not proven and the same is done to sharks for THEIR fine and THEIR cartilage. NO the cartilage of sharks is not proven to be helping in the medical sense (hey, I know I make spelling mistakes and Just so you know, english is not my first langage. So if I made mistakes, Just kindly tell me so I can correct it. Thanks)

[@jacobishii6121]

What a coincidence......rhino poaching went up at the same time China developed a middle income class

[@M65V19]

And those chinese absolutely careless! And millions of them.

[@pranavnair2616]

Ohhh God 🙏

[@johnholliday5874]

Because some ignorant people think ground horn gives them wood.

[@tylerbleeker5167]

Why don't they just make it legal to own rhinos so more people are inclined to "grow" their own horns.

[@noahfischer3088]

That work in theory but just killing a wild animal is much cheaper than raising a rhino

[@lennarthagen3638]

Most of those Rangers are probably corrupt. Sad...

[@mpirokajosephmgcokoca2355]

Cut off the horn. Radioactive isotopes would be bypassed by the criminals

[@Nelfa185]

you should make a video about honeybees and that honeybees are the wrong bees were saving

[@paim689]

a good side effect of this is that the morons buying these horns for health purposes, will actually die out faster due to radioactivity.

[@here_we_go_again2571]

If this is what needs to be done to save the beasts; I guess it has to be done! (I'm not a big fan of "nuclear" anything) There must be some chemical or compound in rhino horns that makes them attractive in Oriental medicine. Why not, in addition to these measures, educate people who use rhino horn.

[@jaik9321]

Greedy humans are paving way for the end of earth🌎 for human's to live...

[@Shaden0040]

The ONLY way to stop poaching is to initiate a death penalty not only to the poacher but to their spouse and children. Whipe out the poacher's blood line and it will stop.

[@thecritter519]

Do you realize how savage that is This isnt the middle ages Many people are doing this because they are poor and starving There is better solutions

[@corvespid4925]

You're assuming that greed is an inherited trait, which is a genetic fallacy, contradicted by a basic understanding of human psychology, epigenetics and poverty-driven desperation, and therefore your proclamation is complete pseudoscientific nonsense. Scientific organizations and human rights agencies would vomit. I'm glad that you're not in a position of power to get people killed with your irresponsible advocacy.

[@michaelsheehan8075]

In case you didn`t know a news article was published the day after this video was published on KZbin! It was about rhino poachers being arrested! Well behind bars is the place where those stupid poachers belong! I hate those stupid poachers! I HATE THEM, I HATE THEM, I HATE THEM!

[@thecritter519]

@@michaelsheehan8075 dude shut up bro We get it Ridiculous behavior

[@a54109]

Why does it bother you so much?

[@williamchamberlain2263]

The real question here is why the end users have erectile dysfunction. I'm guessing that they're too lazy to get decent exercise so their circulation is shot.

[@rolltide9547]

I'd put the Rhino king in prison .

[@aash4688]

Elephant tusks , rhino horns ,etc all these things goes to China. Something is fishy with Chy-nah

[@SchnippiTheCat]

video

[@3dDoener]

comment

[@fishnessess1211]

why not just make a bunch of fake rhino horns?

[@badluck644]

L animals just be alive

[@HalaMadridpor16]

Yeah just survival a Gun Shot? it's really not that hard right?

[@badluck644]

@@HalaMadridpor16 Fr Bro I could survive like 10 shots not even joking

[@fdfac]

Die in Vain? How about something that makes sense and shows that you passed the 8th grade? Killed for Profit explains subject well, your version = ignorance.

[@stevebennett9839]

I can't believe they have to go to this extent, injecting radioactive isotopes in the horn. Thanks for another great video Terra Mater.

[@lenafromterramater3690]

Yeah it really sounds strange at first right?! Thank you for your constant support Steve 😊🦏

[@michaelsteven1090]

and for what?..crazy humans who have NO clue or care for wildlife..sickening.

[@crybabygbc1026]

It's a matter of time before all animals will go extinct because we poach, destroy habitats, and hunt them.

[@GTAWildestPolicechases]

Its a understatment they should make a death sentence to poachers internationally and bounties on their heads

[@GTAWildestPolicechases]

you take horn we collect skull for research on why these people are so stupid.

[@oskar2733]

China... Always China...

[@adamd6648]

I hate that godforsaken place.

[@draphotube4315]

Indeed, and guess what, the Chinese government doesn’t even see this as an important issue, it’s a black market the poorest of the poorest get money from, meaning the Chinese government doesn’t have to take care of them. It’s just a giant hell hole there

[@daryno9048]

I hope this works, i love rhinos and I hated how people will kill them for their horns

[@terramater]

We hope that too! And as youÄve already said, rhinos are the best! 🦏😍

[@michaelsheehan8075]

I with you!

[@recoveringsoul755]

Same culture kills sharks for their fins

[@trevorsheehan1757]

I’m with you there! I hate the people who hunt the rhinos!

[@TheOnlyPedroGameplays]

Yeah the horns aren't even that good

[@daninthelionsden]

If its chemically identical to finger nails could we 3D print them and flood the market to completely devalue the horns?

[@Ben-Carr]

That is being tried, bit I think customers would be very aware, and asking something cheaper opens it up to more people, so this could increase the value of the genuine stuff.

[@mihavidmar9031]

Such a cool channel! Really informative and important content!

[@terramater]

Glad you think so, thanks! 🤗

[@terramater]

Check out our 'Back from the Brink' series for more incredible wildlife conservation stories: kzbin.info/aero/PLZ3CjNbCdQe8V_y7HK_LzZL6lLv11cx_3

[@harshithsadhana7475]

we should do the same thing with elephant tusks,

[@biokosmos]

it is an idea with very important implications, however, in addition to not being ideal for obvious reasons, it makes us understand how crazy certain human beings are if we have to resort to these measures. Much more severe penalties are needed

[@VeganV5912]

China is responsible !!! The government in China is corrupt !!!! It makes me mad 😡

[@rainbowsaurus-rex6580]

This could be the only hope for many endangered animals.

[@tiagooliveiradelucia4841]

They should put some kind of laxative substance in the horns. Some years ago, someone inserted needles inside strawberries on a supermarket and the price of strawberries fell on the whole country becausr noone could tell which fruit was safe to eat. If just a few horns make people sick when used as "medicine", that will be enough to drop the price of them all

[@tsuribachi]

consider the several cases of of people suffer arsenic poisoning from traditional "medicine" yet many other still swear by it, so much that some tried to get it "from the purest source" and died arsenic poisoning anyway, I have my doubt that it will work.

[@Ben-Carr]

Rhino horns are not permeable, so the poison would stay in one spot so it could be trimmed off.

[@JackKinross]

Amazing initiative. Sad that it has come to this but let's hope it works.

[@lenafromterramater3690]

That is so true! We hope so too! 🦏

[@orionma5425]

I'm not convinced that the radioactive horns will actually help. The goal is to prevent poachers from killing rhinos and since there's no way the poacher knows whether the rhino has radioactive horn before killing it, they'll likely end up killing the rhino, realizing that the horn is radioactive, and maybe be unable to sell it. So you end up with a dead rhino, wasted horn, and higher prices for untainted horn. Since this project was done by people much smarter than me, this issue has clearly been thought through and I'd have liked to see how this problem is addressed.

[@WanderTheNomad]

Wouldn't they know that all the rhinos in that area have radioactive horns and stop hunting them there?

[@raizaintilian]

It’s amazing what science can do but it breaks my heart that science has to go this far to prevent greedy humans from obtaining a horn

[@lenafromterramater3690]

That is very true. Let's hope that there will be a good solution for saving them after all 🦏

[@nathanlamberth7631]

I don’t see how this is going to decrease demand for rhino horns. The radioactive dose won’t be high enough to make consuming small amounts of the horn bad for someone’s health.

[@Ben-Carr]

Rhino horns are also not permeable, so the radiation would stay in one spot.

[@kevinaosei]

like the video just said, it is mainly for facilitating the tracking of the horn. but you honestly think that a clown that buys rhino horns, has enough IQ to understand that not all doses of radiation are lethal?

[@Ben-Carr]

@@kevinaosei yes I do. Rhino horns buyers are not dumb. Putting radiation in the horn would mean that it would stay in one spot. Then that spot could be drilled out. A single rhino horn can be worth more that a life's wages in Africa. That is why people do it.

[@uhohhotdog]

@@Ben-Carr if they believe a horn has healing powers they are very dumb

[@kuitaranheatmorus9932]

I just love seeing videos like this that at least give us some hope to save these amazing animals from the greed of others

[@lenafromterramater3690]

That is great to hear! Watching videos on topics like this is not always easy but still good to know about it after all 😊🦏

[@stefangoedegebuur9249]

Most dont do this out of greed but hunger

[@yusufcanbaz8194]

@@stefangoedegebuur9249 no its greed not hunger they are demons that call themselves humans

[@alexanderc.broche4017]

@@stefangoedegebuur9249 NO THEY DO IT FOR MONEY GREED AND AVIRIS NOT HUNGER!

[@alexanderc.broche4017]

@@yusufcanbaz8194 THEY’RE NOT HUMAN NOTHING BUT BOTTOM FEEDING VULTURES

[@singh_nimisha]

This is so heartbreaking to see such ancient animals being traded for greed and corruption. I hope the radioactive projects can apply successfully in future too. ❤️

[@jeralwood6290]

im just commenting to make more people see this

[@terramater]

Thank you for your support!

[@Furui93Shin]

My only worry is that this method won’t cut down the value of the horns at all. Ultimately the real problem is the people who buy these things. And China? The will never cooperate.

[@draphotube4315]

I wish Asian nations would take this problem also a lot more serious. For they don’t. China even encourages the black market because it’s an income for their poorest of the poorest. Instead of having their government take care of them, they give a blind eye on these horrifying things.

[@wickedhouston5538]

well they created the coronavirus

[@pungavaD]

Human greed has no bounds. When I see such things happening, I feel that COVID was nature's punishment, karma coming back.

[@danfield6030]

That is ridiculous

[@tonyg7718]

I agree 💯 The COVID pandemic was our punishment for what we’ve done to Nature, we keep this up, more karma will come soon

[@wickedhouston5538]

blame chinese people

[@subhadip1756]

Great Initiative, Great content 🙏🥰🙌 Love & Respect from India!🙏

[@sassa82]

Great video!

[@AquaWeiner]

The dumbest thing is that consumption is fueled not by science but by superstition. Straight up bs

[@wickedhouston5538]

they have little weenies

[@hogdot]

Great video as always! Just a little confused about the numbers though, if there were 10K Rhinos in Kruger, and they dropped 70%, should there not be 3K left instead of 4K? Perhaps just a typo, but best to let you guys know :)

[@orionma5425]

They said "over 10K", so it was probably 13K rhinos initially in 2010. I thought the same thing too.

[@lenafromterramater3690]

Thank you for your kind words Alex, we very much appreciate them! 🦏

[@ChaseRiver2]

death sentence to anyone knowingly caught in possession to rhino horn, whether you bought it or are selling it :)

[@TheSUPERHAPPY1]

If you are interested in Seals, "Ocean Conservation Namibia" is an amazing channel

[@fortyfiveseventy]

You can thank the wonderful people of china for this

[@fiokak1506]

All poachers deserve the classic rope and pole combo

[@IkeReviews]

The Namibian sub population of black rhinos are not endangered anymore

[@marcopollow]

Hey, love the work and the insights. But I don't understand the point around the 5 minute mark. How is increasing supply of legal and painless rhino horn increase the demand for it?

[@williamchamberlain2263]

Because it creates a legal product stream that poached horns can be added to. e.g. "I thought it was from a legal source - it all comes in the same boxes, and looks the same" says the shop owner.

[@williamchamberlain2263]

@@MattWithTheCat4541 per the second portion of article _Debate: Would a legal ivory trade save elephants or speed up the massacre?_ , The Guardian, 1/10/2016 ; 1) legal markets create more customers 2) a flow of legal products creates an easy way to smuggle illegal products unless it's secured at every step 3) the poachers are already paid next to nothing - the markup happens along the chain so there'd still be profit to make injecting illegal horn into the legal flow

[@MRombo]

@@MattWithTheCat4541 you're incredibly thick.

[@serradojapi]

The problem is Chinese mysticism!

[@WanderTheNomad]

Well, pseudoscience in general

[@curiodyssey3867]

one of many problems going on here...

[@b34V15heh]

@@WanderTheNomad No, its all china

[@jackfinn1108]

@@b34V15heh Nope... loads of countries, including the USA in the top 5. National Geographic did a report on it. On Asia it's used more in medicine, in the west to make Ivory jewellry, pendants etc.

[@b34V15heh]

@@jackfinn1108 By analyzing your response I can tell you have a "dog in the fight". I am curious are you being paid to spread your "knowledge"? If we had accurate statistics on the modern day ivory trade, it will show 95% of African ivory exports going to china. China and the CCP are direct culprits in this evil trade. Thailand and its neighbors do not source ivory from Africa, they have their own elephants in the wild in this region.

[@seanyboyc86]

If the isotopes are harmless, then how do they devalue the horn besides making them trackable? (I’m assuming traders will find a way around tracking)

[@jacobishii6121]

For one they won't be able to move them through ports easily,they will trigger all the alarms used to check for radioactive materials

[@kkmardigrce]

You think parts of aninals having a high value is crazy? People assign insane value to far crazier stuff, like numbers on disks. Just look at crypto...

[@Ben-Carr]

No kidding, crypto has been falling though.

[@raheemallen2003]

Friends a Sunday law is coming which is the Mark Of The Beast, those THAT KEEP Gods seventh day sabbath will be persecuted and prohibited from buying and selling. Jesus is coming soon are we ready?

[@SuperVlerik]

Something else worth trying: SATURATE the market with 3D printed counterfeit horns, and reduce the value below the incentive for poaching. The horn structure can be duplicated, and the material is keratin, which is abundant. This just needs some funding to work out the tech.

[@okapibibi]

Nuclear science is really incredible, and I can only hope that more enlightening discoveries and advancements will be made with it; both for the sakes of all endangered animals as well as the improvement of human society. Thank you for sharing these news!

[@a_tired_wendigo]

Idk why but calling rhinos gentle giants is rlly funny

[@lenafromterramater3690]

Do you like that name? We do 😊🦏

[@JohnnySlammo]

Every single second of this video is absolutely embarrassingly ridiculous.

[@lenafromterramater3690]

Why do you think that?

[@yusufcanbaz8194]

E

[@eldonfernandes8069]

One simple solution when a animal kill a person they are being put down just because their lifes does not mean so much, why not the same things to we humans or else more then 50 years behind bars.

[@wladimirbetcher]

paint a ukrain flag on the rhinos horn so everyone can donate weapons for the war they should have build the chernobyl power plant there today the horns would be radioactive already or make the whole area a nuclear waste park brings more money the the dead fingernails

[@keithhowell4138]

What’s the odds of the radioactivity making them infertile.?

[@darrellschulte3868]

So will there be a little radioactive warming sticker on all the Rhinos. I don't see this changing anything

[@Dyejob01]

What a Brilliant idea ❣️❣️❣️❣️

[@sarathes3938]

Terra mater Please never stop ur work!!may god bless your work

[@terramater]

Hi sarath! Thanks for the kind words and for watching our videos!

[@aimeecatena6207]

"WAY TO GO GUY'S, GREAT WORK IN YOUR EFFORT'S, I APPLAUD YOU MEN/WOMEN FOR YOUR UNBRIDLED DEDICATION TOWARD'S THIS MARVELOUS CONTINENT. Was actually Highly Considering coming there and Working in the GAME RESERVE'S, I'd love the Given Opportunity to Restabalize the Game Reserves!"

[@lenafromterramater3690]

Wow thank you so much Aimee for your enormously kind words! They mean a lot to our team since we do put a lot of effort into all of our productions! ☺ That sounds so great! 🦏

[@SBoceanandshipping]

Hi,Terra mater,your content is very knowledgeable and good,i liked it and love it,so I think if this knowledge can translate in Urdu ,hindi and Indian regional language.because i am from India and India is reach wild life and their habitat. Regards Suhaib Burud

[@terramater]

Thanks for the kind words and for the feedback!

[@scientistx5717]

Can this be used in elephant tusks???

[@user-pahme]

It should I think...

[@MuantanamoMobile]

No. Ivory is different from Keratin (like Rhino horn and fingernails). Elephants tusks (Ivory) are the Elephants teeth.

[@Ben-Carr]

It has been tried and failed.

[@scientistx5717]

@@Ben-Carr sad

[@peaceLove777Love]

Not fan of this idea 😕 of using bio weapon in rhinos

[@DrakonBlake]

I hope this works.

[@terramater]

We too!

[@John-bs5tg]

Human is the most barbaric and invasive species

[@utkarshshankar1]

This was something new 🔥

[@lenafromterramater3690]

Great to hear that we could introduce you to this important topic 🦏

[@theblueskyisstolensunlight]

At least, wouldn't it be better to have a special unwearable ☢️ paint sign on rhinos? Poachers will kill first, check the horns after with their Geigers

[@transfoogel3725]

It would probably be detremental to the rhino's wild survival against predators as a paint sign is easily spotted by well predators. Would work on privately owned and conserved rhinos but over time they need to return the rhinos to the wild to restore the population.

[@MRombo]

@@transfoogel3725 rhinos have no predators (except humans)

[@adnaneboulal25]

Is of Raino is animal fantastic of the planet

[@Humble_Merchant]

Seems like the solution is safe legal harvesting of the horns? Since it can be regulated and monitored while funding the breeding of an endangered species? And satisfies a demand making it less prone to violence?

[@transfoogel3725]

Even so, that means 1. Illegal pouchers will still have more supply (rhinos) to illegally hunt the rhinos so this problem is still prevelant if so. Even if rhinos are dehorned regulated, the value of these rhinos would still be high or rise more. 2. This is more inhumane as you are essentially "farming" rhino horns and leaving them dehorned and regrow again and again for their lives. 3. The radioactive isotope method works well as over time poachers will likely to get caught smuggling rhino horns and thus reducinf poaching numbers.

[@uhohhotdog]

Poach the buyers

[@ThatRandomDude_]

They will realize when they get extinct.

[@prashantj7839]

Great idea

[@lenafromterramater3690]

Let's hope this will finally stop the poaching and safe these amazing and beautiful animals 🦏

[@michaelsheehan8075]

@@lenafromterramater3690 🤞🤞

[@pompei1968]

i hate the way humans exploit animals

[@BrontoSmilodon1]

I can actually see this approach backfiring in a few ways like if someone in this illegal trade decides to go from horn smuggling to using the radioactive isotopes for weapon usage.

[@patrickwingard1927]

theres got to be a better way

[@joemurphy6736]

3:16 the tears in that animals eyes is absolutely heartbreaking

[@terramater]

Right?! 😢

[@malikalmaliki1270]

fucking sad :(

[@brycekirkham6896]

Never knew about this, really hope it works!

[@lenafromterramater3690]

It is quite a unique undertaking indeed! 🦏

[@jackieyeh9187]

The tricky jogging systemically wrestle because product postmeiotically protect given a vengeful vegetarian. wide-eyed, pretty bucket