Description

Part 2
Preliminary results on the use of
Cricetomys rats as indicators of
buried explosives in field conditions
Ron Verhagen, Christophe Cox, Robert Machangu, Bart Weetjens
and Mic Billet
Summary
APOPO, a Belgian research organisation, developed the idea of using rodents
for mine detection. After exploring potentially suitable species, the African
pouched rat, Cricetomys gambianus, was selected for this purpose. After an
initial research phase in Belgium, the project moved to Tanzania in May 2000.
Cricetomys rats were trained both in experimental lab settings and on an
experimental minefield to recognise explosive odours. Results of a series of
tests in the field with nine rats are presented here.