Tanzanian 'hero rats' successfully locating land mines and combating tuberculosis

APOPO, a Tanzania-based non-governmental organisation, is making a significant impact in the fields of tuberculosis (TB) detection and landmine clearance, thanks to its trained rats. These extraordinary animals, known as HeroRATs, have proven to be an invaluable asset in saving lives and promoting safety in various countries.

The HeroRATs, under the guidance of Fabrizio Dell'Anna, an animal behaviourist at APOPO, have been instrumental in identifying over 30,000 patients who were sent home with a clean bill of health but were actually carrying TB. These rats are capable of detecting TB in minuscule amounts of sputum samples, making them an effective secondary line of defense in TB detection, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

APOPO collaborates with the Sokoine University of Agriculture in Tanzania for rat training. The rats are not classified as primary diagnostic tools by the WHO, but their ability to detect TB cases that had been marked as negative has proven to be a game-changer in TB control efforts.

The HeroRATs have been deployed in Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Mozambique for TB detection. They are trained to sniff out samples of sputum from patients, and their keen sense of smell allows them to identify positive TB cases with remarkable accuracy.

In addition to their work in TB detection, APOPO's HeroRATs have also made a significant impact in landmine clearance. Since 2014, these rats have helped clear over 50,000 landmines in various countries. They are capable of detecting explosives and can navigate through dangerous terrain more efficiently than humans, making them an invaluable tool in mine clearance operations.

APOPO expanded its operations into TB detection in 2007, and since then, the organisation has been at the forefront of using animals for lifesaving applications. The HeroRATs are also being prepared for potential deployment in Angola or Cambodia.

It's important to note that APOPO's rats are not limited to TB detection and landmine clearance. They are trained to detect various substances, including explosives, and have even been used in search and rescue operations to find survivors buried in rubble.

In conclusion, APOPO's HeroRATs are making a significant contribution to global health and safety. Their ability to detect TB and clear landmines is a testament to the incredible potential of animals in service to humanity. As APOPO prepares for potential deployments in Angola and Cambodia, the world eagerly awaits the next chapter in the HeroRATs' remarkable story.