Using animals to address challenges is far from new. From eradicating pests to rescuing endangered species, creatures have often aided human efforts, though not always with success. However, Africa’s latest approach to poaching is as innovative as it is unconventional: An army of giant rats is on its way to help tackle the problem.
Rats vs. smugglers. The Giant African pouched rat, already known for its ability to sniff out explosives and detect diseases like tuberculosis, now has a new assignment: identifying the scent of trafficked wildlife products.
According to a recent study published in Frontiers in Conservation Science, researchers trained these rats to detect rhino horn, elephant ivory, pangolin scales, and specific types of African wood—all commonly trafficked due to their high value on the black market.
The perfect “antidote.” The study confirms that these rats can detect endangered species even when smugglers attempt to conceal them among distracting substances. Isabelle Szott, co-author of the study, noted that the experiment demonstrates the rats’ ability to accurately identify a wide range of illegal wildlife products, which could make a valuable contribution to the fight against trafficking.
Specialized training. The Tanzanian organization APOPO trained 11 rats extensively for this task. Their training was designed to refine their detection skills through multiple phases. In the “cueing” phase, the rats were trained to place their noses over a hole containing the target scent, receiving a reward when they did this correctly.
The next phase introduced “unwanted odors,” like coffee grounds or detergent—substances commonly used by traffickers to mask the scent of wildlife. During this “discrimination phase,” the rats learned to ignore these non-target odors, focusing only on endangered species. Remarkably, they retained this skill after five and eight months, showcasing memory and cognitive retention comparable to that of trained detection dogs.
Police vests. This specialized training has a clear goal: to equip the rats with custom-made vests that allow them to signal authorities upon detecting a target. Once deployed, these rats could make a substantial difference at key trafficking hotspots, like ports in Kenya and Tanzania.
The vests emit an audible alert when the rats detect illegal wildlife products, enabling authorities to respond immediately. According to APOPO, the rats are a highly efficient, low-cost tool compared to traditional detection methods, which are often more costly and resource-intensive.
Challenges and future potential. While the initial results are promising, the study faced limitations due to the controlled environment. Researchers plan further testing phases to prepare the rats for real-world scenarios, focusing on refining techniques to adapt to the complex realities of illicit trafficking.
The project’s scope may extend even further. Researcher Kate Webb highlights that wildlife trafficking frequently intersects with other criminal activities, such as drug and arms trafficking. In time, these rats could play a valuable role in combating broader criminal networks that exploit both people and nature.
Who would have guessed that an army of giant rats might one day help tackle drug trafficking as well?
Image | APOPO
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