Giant Rats Sniff Out Land Mines

We're giving our dad a rat for father's day. But not just any rat, a special, mine-sweeping rat in Africa.

A Dutch company, Apopo, has trained rats to sweep mines in Africa. One of Apopo's amazing rats can clear a field that takes a human 2 days in 20 minutes. That's why we're bypassing the mall, passing on ties and cologne, and giving our dad a life-saving rat this year.

Check out global giving:
http://www.globalgiving.org/

Nicholas Kristof's column:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/17/opinion/17kristof.html?src=me&ref=general


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[Tony007corp]

You guys were broke weren't you...

[TheDailyConversation]

@Tony007corp Haha.

[astrolabe1976]

awww cute tribute to Dad

[cavejourney]

Cool gift guys. I don't have a father but I always get my siblings a charitable donation for Christmas. There are lots of way to make it funner for their kids such as adopt an animal for environmental charities etc. I really like the rat idea - I'll check it out for next Christmas.

[princessecastor]

Great idea!! German father's day was in May so this comes a little late for me this year but I'll keep it in mind for 2011. :-]

[WolverineDeus]

I was going to donate to a program that trains dolphins for lifesaving work at sea, but the entire 2010 graduating class was wiped out by the BP oil spill in the Gulf.