Rats used to detect landmines in former war zones

African giant pouched rats are being used to detect landmines in former war zones in Tanzania, reports Wall Street Journal.

According to the report published on Friday, apart from detecting landmines, the rats are also trained to detect tuberculosis in sputum samples more accurately than local lab tests and identify criminals trying to smuggle endangered species.

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“Rats often get a bit of a bad rap,” said Kelly Marnewick, a senior trade officer at South Africa’s Endangered Wildlife Trust, which is working with Apopo, a nonprofit organisation that breeds and trains the rats.

“Here are rats that are saving human lives,” concluded Marnewick.

More trained rats are set to be sent to Angola Cambodia, Mozambique or Colombia.

source http://www.punchng.com/rats-used-to-detect-landmines-in-former-war-zones/