Kenya announced an ambitious plan to place microchips in the horn of every rhinoceros in the country to try and stop poaching.  Wildlife officials hope to use the technology to track live animals, and to trace poached rhino horns and improve the chance of catching the poachers.

“With poachers getting more sophisticated in their approach it is vital that conservation efforts embrace the use of more sophisticated technology to counter the killing of wildlife,” said the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) in a statement.

The World Wildlife Fund donated the chips as well as five scanners at a cost of US$15,000, although tracking each of the country’s remaining 1,000 rhinos to dart them and fit the device will cost considerably more.  Officials insist it will be worth it to boost the ability of police to prosecute poachers or traffickers, allowing for all animals to be traced and providing potential vital information on poaching and smuggling chains.

“Investigators will be able to link any poaching case to a recovered or confiscated horn, and this forms crucial evidence in court, contributing towards the prosecution's ability to push for sentencing of a suspected rhino criminal,” the KWS statement continued.

Rhino horn is highly prized in Asia, where it is used in traditional medicine, although there’s absolutely no evidence that it works.  It is made of keratin, the same substance as human finger nails.