HeroRAT learning to detect landmines

HeroRATs are trained by APOPO to save lives and limbs, by using their exceptional sense of smell to sniff out unexploded landmines and tuberculosis. To learn more about this life-saving work, visit APOPO's website: http://www.apopo.org/

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• landmines
• rats
• apopo
• herorat
• tanzania
• africa

[fetishdiva1]

oh i love rats! they are so smart.. can you please tell me what type of rat is this? because my pet rats don't get this big. i want that rat! .. and good job with your work, i know people are afraid the rats will be injured, but it's no different than bomb sniffing dogs. good job!

[apopovideos]

@fetishdiva1 We train African giant pouched rats (or Gambian pouched rats), and they do get much bigger than the average rat - they weigh around a kilo! We've never lost a rat to a landmine - although they're large, they're still too light to set one off. Thanks for your support!

[camelsamul]

how exactly does it work?

[apopovideos]

@camelsamul We use operant conditioning at our headquarters to train our rats to detect scents in one of three disciplines: landmine detection, tuberculosis detection, or remote scent tracing (RST) research. Once trained on a target scent, the rats learn to indicate its presence by scratching or sniffing at the ground or hole. Check out apopo.org to learn more about how we train our HeroRATs.

[RandallFaraday]

So... when the rat goes BOOOOOOMMMMM, it has detected a landmine?!

[apopovideos]

@RandallFaraday We've never lost a rat to a landmine - they're much too light to set one off! Our HeroRATs actually indicate that they've detected the scent of a landmine simply by scratching at the ground.

[apopovideos]

@sk8r2000 In order for our HeroRAT team to be able to safely identify and remove the landmines, we need both our rats and our trained staff to work with them. Our method has many benefits. The internationally accepted standard to clear 1 square meter (sqm) of land is $2. Using our rats and humans, we can clear that in $1.18. Also, two men using mine detectors, will clear 200 sqm in 8 hours. The same two men using our HeroRATs can clear 200 sqm in 1.5 hours.

[apopovideos]

@nybombs We love our HeroRATs and would never put them in danger. Our rats weigh on average 1.5 kilograms (about 4lbs) and our largest rat weighed 1.8 kilograms. It takes approximately 5 kilograms (about 11lbs) of pressure to set off a landmine. So not to worry, our rats are safe. If a human steps on a landmine, they can be maimed or killed. However, our staff follows a number of safety procedures and protocols in order to ensure their safety.

[MaxFlared]

how much is one i wanna order on internet what credit card do you accept?

[Tyannalyn]

@fetishdiva1 I agree

[camelsamul]

@apopovideos ok

[PanORotta]

maybe one day, i am detecting landmines too...

[ogicabp4u]

@apopovideos I'm just wondering that the lines must have some safety zone already cleared so there are definitely no mines within the safe distance of the marker lines that the men stand behind.