A method of tagging objects at least for deterrent, tracking or detection purposes

Abstract

A method of tagging an object, particularly, an object in the form of a horn of a rhinoceros. The method comprises inserting or embedding at least one radioactive isotope insert comprising 60Co into a horn of the rhinoceros at a minimum distance of approximately 10 cm to 15 cm from a growth plate of the horn. The method comprises subsequently detecting the horn by detecting radiation emitted from the horn as a result of decay of the at least one radioactive isotope insert embedded within the horn.

Description

[0001] A METHOD OF TAGGING OBJECTS AT LEAST FOR DETERRENT, TRACKING OR DETECTION PURPOSES

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The invention relates to methods for tagging objects, typically objects of value, at least, though not necessarily exclusively for deterrent, tracking, and / or detection purposes, wherein the objects may be living organism, for example, a plant or part of a living organism, for example, a horn of a rhinoceros.

[0004] BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0005] Rhinoceros horns are often used in certain cultures for medicinal and / or other purposes as well as a symbol of status or wealth. However, a large amount of rhinoceros horns which are transacted are acquired through illegal poaching of rhinoceros which has brought the number of these creatures dangerously close to extinction levels.

[0006] South Africa is home to the world’s largest population of both black (Diceros bicornis) and white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum), and over the past fifteen years, the rate at which these animals are killed by poaching shows no decrease despite numerous efforts to address the issue of poaching.

[0007] The inventors are desirous of providing a solution which may serve to deter poachers and end consumers from poaching rhinoceros for their horn, and also to significantly increase the probability of detection of smuggled horn. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

[0008] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of tagging an object comprising a step of embedding a radioactive isotope insert comprising60Co into the object.

[0009] The insert or tag may have an activity concentration of approximately between 300 kBq to 1000 kBq (i.e., 300 kilobecquerel to 1000 kilobecquerel).

[0010] The method may comprise embedding the radioactive isotope insert at a predetermined penetration zone in the object.

[0011] The object may be, or may be part of, a living organism. In this regard, the object may be or may be part of an animal or plant. It follows that in a preferred example embodiment the object may be a horn or tusk attached to a living animal such as a rhinoceros, or elephant. To this end, it will be understood that the object may be a non-living yet valuable part of the animal.

[0012] Instead, the object may be or may be part of a plant such as a cycad.

[0013] The method may comprise detecting and / or tracking the object based on the radiation emitted from the object as a result of decay of at least one radioactive isotope insert embedded in the object.

[0014] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the term “tagging” in the context of the disclosure herein may be viewed in the broadest sense as being inclusive of marking an object to be able to subsequently identify the object and / or animal / plant and not necessarily the specific animal / plant.

[0015] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of tagging a rhinoceros, wherein the method comprises embedding at least one radioactive isotope insert or tag comprising60Co into a horn of the rhinoceros.

[0016] The method may comprise embedding the at least one radioactive isotope insert or tag into the horn in a predetermined zone that is spaced approximately between 10cm and 15cm, preferably approximately 15cm, from an intersection of the horn and skin of the rhinoceros. In other words, the method may comprise embedding the at least one radioactive isotope insert or tag no closer than 10cm to 15cm, preferably 15cm, to living tissue of the rhinoceros. The intersection of the skin and horn of the rhinoceros may visually be a base of the horn.

[0017] The predetermined zone may extend towards a free end of the horn. The method may comprise embedding a plurality of radioactive isotope inserts or tags into the horn of the rhinoceros in the aforementioned zone from a first insert towards a last insert which is located closer to the free end of the horn. It will be appreciated that the first insert may be embedded approximately 15cm from the intersection of the horn and skin of the rhinoceros.

[0018] It will be appreciated that having an insert at a minimum of 10cm from the living tissue of the animal may mitigate or avoid any potential negative impacts to the animal.

[0019] The radioactive isotope insert or tag may have an activity concentration of approximately between 300 kBq to 1000 kBq (i.e., 300 kilobecquerel to 1000 kilobecquerel).

[0020] In some example embodiment, the radioactive isotope insert or tag may comprise other radioactive isotopes. For example, different and / or unique isotope inserts / tags or isotope inserts / tags with unique decay spectra or profiles may be uniquely associated with specific farms, locations, etc.

[0021] The method may comprise detecting and / or tracking the horn based on the radiation emitted from the horn as a result of decay of at least one radioactive isotope insert or tag embedded in the horn.

[0022] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an insert for tagging an object, wherein the insert comprises a radioactive isotope comprising60Co and is shaped and / or dimensioned to be embedded into the object.

[0023] The insert may have an activity concentration of approximately between 300 kBq to 1000 kBq (i.e., 300 kilobecquerel to 1000 kilobecquerel). According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an insert or tag for tagging a rhinoceros, wherein the insert or tag comprises a radioactive isotope comprising60Co and is shaped and / or dimensioned to be embedded into a horn of the rhinoceros.

[0024] The insert or tag may be in the form of a nail. For example, a nail type which may be dispensed by a suitable nail gun.

[0025] The insert or tag may have an activity concentration of approximately between 300 kBq to 1000 kBq (i.e., 300 kilobecquerel to 1000 kilobecquerel).

[0026] According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of detecting an object comprising detecting radiation emitted from the object as a result of decay of at least one radioactive isotope insert embedded in the object.

[0027] As discussed herein, the object may be a horn, tusk, or a plant.

[0028] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of tagging a rhinoceros, wherein the method comprises: embedding at least one radioactive isotope insert comprising60Co into a horn of the rhinoceros at a minimum distance of approximately 10cm to 15cm from a growth plate of the horn or an intersection of the horn and living tissue of the rhinoceros; and subsequently detecting the horn by detecting radiation emitted from the horn as a result of decay of the at least one radioactive isotope insert embedded within the horn.

[0029] It will be understood that horn as described above may extend appropriately to a tusk of an animal such as an elephant, or plant such as a cycad. However, for easy of explanation reference will be made to an animal in the form of a rhinoceros and an object in the form of a rhinoceros horn.

[0030] The method may comprise re-tagging the object, particularly the rhinoceros, even more particularly the horn of the rhinoceros, in a manner described herein after a predetermined period of time, for example, after the radioactive isotope insert is rendered inert and / or non-detectable. This may be after five or 6 years.

[0031] The subsequent detection of the horn may typically be once the horn is removed from the rhinoceros. To this end, it will be noted that the method of embedding the at least one radioactive isotope insert may be when the animal is still alive. In other words, the method may comprise embedding the at least one radioactive isotope insert into the horn of a living animal. This may be done whilst the animal is sedated, etc.

[0032] It follows that the subsequent detection may occur after embedding, up till 5 or 6 years after said embedding of the at least one radioactive isotope insert, or until the radioactive decay from the insert is detectable by a suitable detector arrangement. It will be understood that the suitable detector arrangement may be a conventional radioactivity detector arrangement.

[0033] The step of detecting the insert may typically be after the horn has been detached from the animal.

[0034] The discussion of the invention described herein with reference to one aspect of the invention may be applicable, mutatis mutandis, to other aspects of the invention described herein.

[0035] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0036] Non-limiting embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the following Figures:

[0037] Figure 1 shows an diagram illustrating the use of the insert in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention on a rhinoceros horn;

[0038] Figure 2 shows an illustration of a horn of a rhinoceros in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention; and Figure 3 shows a schematic block diagram of a detection scenario with a suitable detector system in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention.

[0039] DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0040] The following description of the invention is provided as an enabling teaching of the invention. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognise that many changes can be made to the embodiments described, while still attaining the beneficial results of the present invention. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present invention can be attained by selecting some of the features of the present invention without utilising other features.

[0041] Accordingly, those skilled in the art will recognise that modifications and adaptations to the present invention are possible, and may even be desirable in certain circumstances, and are a part of the present invention. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present invention and not a limitation thereof.

[0042] It will be appreciated that the phrase “for example,” “such as”, and variants thereof describe non-limiting embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter. Reference in the specification to “one example embodiment”, “another example embodiment”, “some example embodiment”, or variants thereof means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment(s) is included in at least one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter. Thus, the use of the phrase “one example embodiment”, “another example embodiment”, “some example embodiment”, or variants thereof does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment(s).

[0043] Unless otherwise stated, some features of the subject matter described herein, which are, described in the context of separate embodiments for purposes of clarity, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Similarly, various features of the subject matter disclosed herein which are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination.

[0044] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. For brevity, the word “may” is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning “having the potential to”), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning “must”).

[0045] The words “include,” “including,” and “includes” and the words “comprises”, “comprising”, and “comprises” mean including and comprising, but not limited thereto, respectively. Additionally, as used herein, the term “coupled” may refer to two or more components connected together, whether that connection is permanent (e.g., welded, cast, moulded, carved) or temporary (e.g., bolted, screwed, adhered via an adhesive), direct or indirect (i.e., through an intermediary), or mechanical.

[0046] Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is provided a method of tagging a rhinoceros R. Other objects may be tagged in the fashion as described herein for similar purpose as will be understood by those skilled in the art, but reference will be made herein to the tagging of an object in the form of a horn H of a rhinoceros R.

[0047] The method typically comprises inserting / embedding at least one radioactive isotope insert or tag 10 into a horn H of the rhinoceros R.

[0048] The method comprises embedding the insert 10 at a location or predetermined zone Z in the horn H. As can be seen in Figure 2, the zone Z extends from an imaginary plane P, which is spaced for at least a distance D of 15cm from an intersection of the horn H and skin of the rhinoceros R, and a free end of the horn H. In this way, the insert 10 closest to the horn growth plate (not shown) of the horn H is at least 10 cm away from the horn growth plate and is relatively far from living tissue, such as skin tissue, of the rhinoceros R. This is to reduce the potential for the growth plate to become overexposed with potential detrimental effects on the animal and future growth of the horn due to the insert 10.

[0049] In some example embodiments the insert 10 is shaped and / or dimensioned as a nail, typically a nail used by a nail gun, which makes embedding the insert 10 in the zone Z easier as the insert is introduced into the horn H with the nail gun loaded with inserts 10. This is preferable as it reduces the time which the rhino needs to be sedated for to enable the embedding of the insert 10. However, in some example embodiments, a hole is required to be drilled into the horn in the zone Z and the insert 10 is introduced therein.

[0050] It will be understood that the insert 10 may be embedded close to or at a central axis of the horn H.

[0051] In a preferred example embodiment, the method comprises embedding a plurality of radioactive isotope inserts or tags 10 into the horn of the rhinoceros in the zone Z at spaced apart intervals. The intervals may be regular intervals, for example, every 10cm along the length of the horn H, or at irregular intervals. In this way, it will be understood that the radioactive inserts 10, though posing no health risks to the rhinoceros, devalues the rhinoceros horn in the eyes of the consumer that drives poaching activities. Moreover, this is to considerably complicate the isolation and removal of these inserts 10 by unauthorised individuals.

[0052] The radioactive isotope inserts 10 typically comprises60Co and has an activity concentration of approximately between 300 kBq to 1000 kBq (i.e., 300 kilobecquerel to 1000 kilobecquerel). In this way, even if a horn H is removed from the rhinoceros, the radiation from the insert may be of a level to be detected by suitable conventional radiation detectors and suitably coupled detector systems which process data from the radiation detectors in a conventional fashion to raise an alarm, etc. upon detection of a horn H with an insert 10 therein or a horn which emits radiation from an insert 10.

[0053] In one example embodiment, the inserts 10 are constructed of60Co in a metallic form for at least the following reasons:

[0054] •60Co is classified as an ‘industrial source’ in terms of nuclear security, and as such anyone who sets off a radiation detector or any package that sets off a detector will have to have compelling reasons and associated formal paperwork to have such a radioisotope in their possession or control. An alarm cannot then be easily dismissed as a ‘medical alarm’ brought about an individual who could have had a range of nuclear medicine therapies or diagnostics. •60Co is easy to make in a research reactor. The facilities such as remote handling hot cells etc. are already in operation by skilled technicians. There are very few steps in the manufacture of an appropriate insert 10 in the form of a ‘pin’ that can be handled and inserted into a rhinoceros R. The material / precursor that will be irradiated is already produced under strict quality controls. Tig welding rods may be used as the inserts 10 as they have tight quality controls in both the metals within the rods, as well as the dimensions of the rods.

[0055] • As the rods contemplated herein as the inserts 10 are produced under strict tolerances it will be significantly easier to precisely control the amount radioactive material that will be inserted into each part of the horn, this in turn allows more precise control of potential radiological doses each animal receives from the inserted pins.

[0056] •60Co has a radiological decay spectrum that is readily detected by commercial detector systems without any modifications.

[0057] • Currently the dehorning of rhinoceros is considered the final deterrent to poaching but depending on the risk that a particular crash of animals exposed to, this must be done on an annual basis or if the risk is deemed lower can be allowed to get to 18 months or two years. This practice has associated risks with the immobilisation and sedation of these animals. By using60Co that has a half-life of approximately 5.26 years the immobilisation and sedation of these animals can be extended to between three and five years before the radioisotope must be ‘topped-up’.

[0058] • Convenience - putting the radioisotope / s into a form that allow easy handling that minimises the risk to the persons who will be handling these items.

[0059] In use, referring to Figure 3 of the drawings, if a poacher manages to remove the horn H, with the inserts 10 therein, and attempts to pass a conventional radiation detector system 20 having at least one handheld or fixed point radiation detector 22, for example, of the type used at security checkpoints, for example, at Customs Offices, the radiation emitted by the inserts 10 will be detected and a suitable alarm generated by the detector system 20 in a conventional manner as contemplated herein. In this way, by using existing radiation detection systems, trafficking of illegal rhinoceros horns may be determined.

[0060] The present invention disclosed herein provides a convenient way to devalue rhinoceros horn in the eyes of end-users because if there is a growing probability that any rhinoceros horn they acquire could be radioactive, they will no longer wish to obtain and use the horn for the various currently identified uses that is to say, demonstration of high status and wealth, and traditional medicine.

[0061] Moreover, there has been a growing international effort to curb potential nuclear and radiological terrorism. To this end very significant efforts have been made to install and operate detection systems capable of detection of nuclear radiological materials as they pass through international borders. Currently there between ten and eleven thousand installed radiation portal monitors, along with several thousand border / customs agents who routinely carry pager-type radiation detectors. Along with these detector systems and officers, there are already in place ‘standard operating procedures’ for when these detectors alarm. So, by making the horn radioactive enough to set off these detectors the present invention seeks to piggyback off a vastly expanded network of machinery and people who can interdict these treated horn as they are moved across borders. Additionally, these systems are passive, rather than the active actions that currently are needed to intercept horn that is being smuggled.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A method of tagging an object comprising a step of embedding a radioactive isotope insert comprising60Co into the object at a predetermined location in the object.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the radioactive isotope insert has an activity concentration of approximately between 300 kBq to 1000 kBq.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherien the radioactive isotope insert has an activity of approximately 500 kilobecquerel.

4. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the predetermined location is at a predetermined zone in the object.

5. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the object is, or is part of, a living plant or animal.

6. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises embedding more than one radioactive isotope insert / s into the object, at spaced apart location / s.

7. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the object is a horn or tusk attached to a living animal, wherein the predetermined location is approximately between 10cm and 15cm away from living tissue adjacent a base of the horn or tusk of the living animal.

8. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the object is a Rhinoceros horn, and wherein the method comprises embedding a first radioactive isotope insert at approximately a minimum distance of approximately 10cm to 15cm from a growth plate of the Rhinoceros horn.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the method comprises embedding one or more additional radioactive isotope inserts at spaced apart locations from the first radioactive isotope insert.

10. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the object is a plant, and wherein the method comprises embedding a first radioactive isotope insert at approximately a minimum distance of 10cm from an apical meristem of the plant.1 1 . The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the radioactive isotope insert is in a form of nail-like insert which is drivable into the object.

12. A method of tagging a rhinoceros, wherein the method comprises: embedding at least one radioactive isotope insert comprising60Co into a horn of the rhinoceros at a minimum distance of approximately 10cm from a growth plate of the horn of the rhinoceros; and subsequently detecting the horn by detecting radiation emitted from the horn as a result of decay of the at least one radioactive isotope insert embedded within the horn.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the method comprises embedding one or more additional substantially similar radioactive isotope insert / s as the at least one radioactive isotope insert at spaced apart location / s from the at least one radioactive isotope insert.

14. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the at least one radioactive isotope insert has an activity concentration of approximately between 300 kBq to 1000 kBq.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherien the at least one radioactive isotope insert has an activity of approximately 500 kilobecquerel.

16. The method as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the radioactive isotope insert is in the form of nail-like insert, and wherein the method comprises driving the nail-like radioactive isotope insert into the horn by way of a nail gun.

17. A method of detecting a rhinoceros horn, wherein the method comprises detecting radiation emitted from the horn as a result of decay of at least one radioactive isotope insert comprising60Co which is embedded within the horn.

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