Tiny rodents are proving to be big allies in the fight against illegal wildlife trafficking. African giant pouched rats, known for their keen sense of smell, are being trained to detect illicitly traded wildlife products, including elephant tusks and rhino horns. These rats, outfitted with miniature backpacks, are being used in controlled environments to locate hidden wildlife items, offering a novel approach to combating this global issue.
The innovative study was conducted by the Dutch nonprofit APOPO, which has a long history of leveraging trained rats for humanitarian purposes. Previously, these rodents were used to detect explosives, such as landmines, and diagnose tuberculosis. Now, researchers have discovered their potential in identifying wildlife contraband. The rats were trained to locate trafficked goods hidden inside shipping containers, demonstrating remarkable accuracy in detecting items such as pangolin scales and threatened African hardwoods. Despite being masked by other strong odors, often intentionally placed by smugglers, the rats successfully identified the concealed wildlife products.
As part of the study, the rats learned to work in mock port environments. They were outfitted with specially designed vests equipped with electronic microswitches. Upon detecting a target scent, the rats would trigger the switch, signaling their handlers about the find. This method proved efficient, showcasing the rats’ adaptability to real-world scenarios where quick and accurate identification is crucial. Upon successfully locating contraband, the rodents were rewarded with a food mixture containing avocado, banana, and crushed chow pellets—a positive reinforcement that encouraged consistent performance.
Bart Weetjens, the founder of APOPO, had the original idea to use rats for landmine detection after learning about gerbils being employed as scent detectors. Weetjens, a long-time rat owner, collaborated with Prof. Ron Verhagen, a rodent expert from the University of Antwerp. Their research identified the African giant pouched rat as an ideal candidate for such tasks. “Rats have low training and maintenance costs, flexibly work with multiple handlers, have a long lifespan, and a sophisticated sense of smell,” the researchers explained from their headquarters in Morogoro, Tanzania. These qualities, combined with the rats’ ability to navigate tight spaces and assess sealed containers via ventilation systems, make them uniquely suited for tasks like inspecting densely packed shipping containers.
The training process highlights the rodents’ intelligence and adaptability. Over a proof-of-concept phase, the rats were exposed to various scents commonly associated with wildlife contraband. They demonstrated a sharp learning curve, quickly differentiating between target items and other distracting smells. The study, published in Frontiers in Conservation Science, emphasized the potential for these rats to revolutionize detection methods at ports and border checkpoints.
This breakthrough aligns with APOPO’s mission of using innovative, cost-effective solutions to protect both people and the environment. Established in 1995, the organization has continually expanded its applications for trained rats, earning international recognition for its work. “Their small size offers unique capabilities for the screening of shipping containers, such as being able to navigate densely packed areas or be lifted to assess contents of sealed containers by screening ventilation systems,” the researchers noted.
Looking ahead, the study recommends assessing the operational feasibility of deploying these trained rats at ports. If successful, they could become an integral part of wildlife trafficking prevention strategies, complementing existing technologies and human efforts. The combination of their efficiency, low cost, and environmental adaptability offers hope for a more effective fight against the illegal wildlife trade.
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