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APOPO, a non-profit organization, trains African Giant Pouched Rats to detect land mines and Tuberculosis. Bart Weetens, a Belgian national, founded APOPO in 1996 to provide a low-technology solution to the global landmine problem. APOPO emerged as a faster, local approach to demining that proved to be cheaper and efficient. APOPO’s overall objective is to develop an efficient method for the detection of landmines and UXO in order to facilitate the repatriation of refugees, distribution of emergency aid, general development and a mine free environment in affected countries. APOPO is currently researching the feasibility of using African Giant Pouched Rats to detect Tuberculosis in human sputum samples.

History
In 1996, Bart Weetjens conceived of the idea of using rodents for mine detection as an outcome of an exploration and analysis of the global mine detection problem. Initial financial support was received from the Belgian Directorate for International Co-operation (DGIS) in 1997 to develop the concept of rats as mine detectors. The beginning research was performed in Belgium, but as the rats proved to be effective ‘mine detectors,’ APOPO was moved to Tanzania, where the rats could be trained in near-to-real conditions. APOPO moved into Morogoro, Tanzania, and is now housed by Sokoine University of Agriculture to train their HeroRATS. While further developing mine detection technology, APOPO realized a real need in the detection of pathogens in Sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore in 2004, APOPO began to research the possibilities of Giant African Pouched HeroRATS detecting Tuberculosis in human sputum samples. Research is still continuing and is very promising.

HeroRATS
HeroRATS is a function of the parent organization, APOPO. It was created to tell the stories of the HeroRATS, the mine and TB detecting rats at APOPO, the staff, and the lives they touch.

Land mines
HeroRATS, the Giant African Pouched Rats that work with APOPO, work to detect land mines through two methods, REST and direct detection. Instead of taking the rats to the minefield, REST brings the scent from the mines to the rats. Rats trained to detect the explosives on field samples, can help to reduce the minefields to its actual boundaries. REST technology is currently being used for road clearance; samples are taken every 100 meters for the rats to sniff for TNT. This technology will allow deminers to focus on areas that are known to be mine fields thus speeding up the process considerably.

In direct detection, leashed HeroRATS systematically search mine fields to indicate the exact position of explosive. The rat is guided by a search string, which is connected between its two trainers. The rat moves systematically up and down the search string, processing lane by lane through the suspected box. The rat indicates the position of a landmine by scratching the surface at the spot. Being lightweight, they do not set off the explosive devices. In a land mine field, 2 to 3 rats carefully search over each unknown area to insure a mine free area.

HeroRATS are currently working to clear minefields in Mozambique so that people can use the land for work and play again.

Tuberculosis
APOPO trains sniffer rats to detect Tuberculosis Bacteria in human sputum samples to research the vast possibilities of rats as detecting agents for TB. In the laboratory, the HeroRATS sniff a series of holes, under which human sputum samples are lined up for evaluation. Sputum is the liquid matter that is expelled from the mouth, including the mucus or phlegm of the mouth. When the HeroRAT smells TB, he indicates through scratching.

Other Information
It is a local solution to a local problem. The Giant African Pouched Rat is indigenous to Africa and therefore is used to the terrain and climate. It provides quality jobs to over a 100 local people. It is cheap and efficient solution to the land mine problem.

Benefits of Using Rats-

* Rats have a highly developed sense of smell; * Rats are easy to tame, breed and train; * Rats are small, cheap, and easy to maintain and transport; * Rats are widespread and adapt easily to different environments; * Once taught, the animals love performing repetitive tasks; * Rats are more easily transferred between trainers in comparison with dogs.

Partners
APOPO has officially partnered with Sokoine University of Agricultural, Antwerp University, The National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Program (NTLP), The National Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), The Tanzanian Peoples Defense Forces (TPDF), JENEL TVD and the Norwegian Peoples Aid (NPA). APOPO’s funding partners include the, Belgian Government, the US Department of State’s National Institutes of Health (NIH), the EU, the Province of Antwerp, Flemish Community, the US Army, the World Bank, private donors and different fundraising campaigns.

Awards
Ashoka Foundation Fellowship Award in - Awarded to founder, Bart Weetjens The Skoll Awards for Social Entrepreneurship in 2008 Fellow for the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship- Awarded to founder, Bart Weetjens

Links and Articles
www.apopo.org wwww.herorat.org National Geographic Boston Globe BBC News The Times