Dateline (SBS) ran a story about using rats as mine
detectors in Mozambique. The Rats are clicker-trained :-)


SBS Dateline | A Rat s Tale

SBS Dateline | A Rat s Tale


SBS does not have video of the segment available,
but there are some other videos of the rats at work.

YouTube - Sniffer Rats Take Over Mozambique's Landmines
Sniffer Rats Take Over Mozambique's Landmines

YouTube - rat trained to sniff out mines
rat trained to sniff out mines (silent)

YouTube - Rats helping clear landmines in Tanzania
Rats helping clear landmines in Tanzania


Also
YouTube - Using Sniffer Rats to Detect Tuberculosis
Using Sniffer Rats to Detect T-B (clicker training)

and finally:

Gambian Pouch Rat (Cricetomys gambianus) - Wiki
Gambian Pouch Rat (Cricetomys gambianus)

They sorta resemble a mix of possum and Guinea pig.
Unlike dogs, who can be very expensive to feed and care-for, the
pouched-rats eat grain and fruit and vegies - anyone can provide
their grain-based diet for little money, and UNlike dogs they are
not regarded as *dirty* by the local people.

cheers,
--- terry

terry pride, APDT-Aus, apdt#1827, CVA, IPDTA, TDF

Hi there,

I train my own pouched rats to be used in demponstrations by educational departments in animal parks to show what they do in Africa

You can view my training videos on youtube also

YouTube - Male rat 2 mine detecting

YouTube - male rat 1 mine detecting

Hope you enjoy

__________________

Home of Ziyal Gambian Pouched Rats
http://www.ukpouchies.co.uk