In Tanzania, Gambian hamster rats are trained to detect contraband among cargo. Previously, these animals have been successfully used for de-mining, particularly in Cambodia.
In Tanzania, African bomb squad rats are being taught to look for contraband – they have to sniff it out among boxes and crates. This was reported by UNN with reference to BILD.
The Gambian hamster rat is one of the largest mice on the planet. Adults grow up to 90 cm in length. Since 2013, they have been used in Tanzania and Mozambique for demining
– the statement said.
The male, nicknamed Magawa, traveled to Cambodia, where he found 71 mines and 38 other explosive devices. For this, he received a gold medal from the British charity organization PDSA.
In January 2022 , Magawa the bomb disposal rat died at the age of 8.
In Tanzania, rats are now being trained to sniff out contraband – they have to sniff it out among crates and boxes. During the training, the sniffers are rewarded with food when they correctly find ivory, horns, or rare animals. Smugglers cover them with detergents or coffee beans to prevent customs from smelling them. But this is not an obstacle for rats
– the statement said.
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More than 60 million people living in 60 countries from Cambodia to Zimbabwe fear landmines and other remnants of past conflicts every day.
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