TLDR:
- A South African startup is seeking venture capital to fund the use of implanted radioactive pellets to deter rhino poaching.
- The project, called The Rhisotope Project, has already inserted pellets into the horns of 20 rhinos as part of research and is now looking to raise close to $1 million for commercial rollout.
A South African startup is seeking venture capital support to fund the use of implanted radioactive pellets to deter the poaching of endangered animals, specifically rhinos. The Rhisotope Project, which began in 2021 at Johannesburg’s University of the Witwatersrand, recently inserted the pellets into the horns of 20 rhinos as the final research stage before moving towards commercial application. The project aims to raise close to $1 million to fund activities over the next two years, with a commercial return expected after about 18 months. This initiative is one of several measures being promoted to protect rhinos from poaching, which involves cutting off their horns for sale in east Asia. The startup plans to offer 30% of shares to investors, with the rest held by the university and founders. Previously funded by Russia’s state-owned nuclear company Rosatom, the project now seeks alternative support following the company’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict. The project also intends to expand its reach to include other endangered species like elephants and pangolins.
