Mongabay on MSN14d
Meet the giant rats fighting wildlife trafficking
Often dismissed as pests, rats have long been misunderstood. But the African giant pouched rat (Cricetomys ansorgei), the ...
Ever-Growing USA on MSN9d
Trained Rats Could Help Combat Wildlife Trafficking
Illegal wildlife trade is one of the world’s most profitable black-market industries. Now, an unconventional method may help ...
Hosted on MSN3mon
Giant rats undergo surprising training to help stop illegal smuggling — here's why
African giant pouched rats, which have previously been trained to sniff out buried mines and detect tuberculosis, are now being used to stop smuggling in Tanzania, The Guardian reported.
EurekAlert!4mon
Giant African pouched rat with training vest (IMAGE)
In real life settings, rats will be able to pull a small ball attached at the chest of their vest, which emits a beeping sound. This way rats will be able to alert their handlers when they detect ...