Rats are clever animals, weigh little and have an amazing sense of smell
The Belgian Bart Weetjens – himself the owner of a rat – recognised the potential of these animals early on. He founded a non-profit company, Apopo, which trains African giant rats to detect landmines. They are too light to trigger mines themselves and work many times faster than other methods. But they are also used in laboratories to diagnose tuberculosis. Here, too, the rats are faster and cheaper than technological methods. Why the African giant rat? They live up to eight years, so the costly training is worthwhile here.
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HeroRat’s Contribution to the 17 Global Goals
Good Health and Well-Being
HeroRats secures people’s habitats from landmines and thus saves human lives.
Life on Land
HeroRats revitalises areas of land that could not be accessed due to landmines or could only be accessed at high risk.
Partnerships for the Goals
HeroRats develops its solutions together with aid organisations, authorities, research institutions and medical facilities.
Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The removal of landmines is an important component of peace-building processes.
Reduced Inequalities
The presence of landmines disadvantages the population living there.
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