Rats to the Rescue

@RasmaSandra (79482)
Daytona Beach, Florida
October 31, 2024 4:00pm CST
Now I know many hate rats however it has been discovered that African giant pouched rats are a big help with their noses. These large rodents have been taught to sniff out landmines, and survivors among rubble in natural disaster zones. They will be helping the illegal global wildlife trade and stop the trafficking. Criminal disguise illegally gained goods in many ways but with the help of these rats, they will be able to sniff out sniff out elephant tusks, rhino horns, pangolin scales, and African blackwood. Even though they are big rats I think this is good news.
https://www.cnn.com/science/giant-african-rat-wildlife-traffickers-spc/index.html?utm
15 people like this
16 responses
@Ronrybs (19095)
• London, England
31 Oct
I remember reading about this a while back and thought it had fallen by the wayside.
5 people like this
@RasmaSandra (79482)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
31 Oct
@Ronrybs seems they're giving it a try
5 people like this
@Ronrybs (19095)
• London, England
31 Oct
@RasmaSandra Good job, we certainly could use fewer landmines
4 people like this
@AmbiePam (92128)
• United States
31 Oct
I had heard they had been trained to find land mines. They seem to be amazing little creatures, even if they gross me out.
5 people like this
@RasmaSandra (79482)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
31 Oct
@AmbiePam if they can be helpful I am all for this
5 people like this
@AmbiePam (92128)
• United States
31 Oct
@RasmaSandra They certainly have helped medical research.
5 people like this
@popciclecold (38575)
• United States
31 Oct
Interesting.
4 people like this
@snowy22315 (179977)
• United States
31 Oct
It is worth keeping them around just for that.
5 people like this
@celticeagle (166318)
• Boise, Idaho
31 Oct
I am glad they have found a good use for them. My daughter used to have some as pets. I tried to help her feed them one day and the mom bit me.
4 people like this
@Fleura (30261)
• United Kingdom
31 Oct
I read that too. I wonder how long it takes to train them, and how long they live?
4 people like this
@RasmaSandra (79482)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
31 Oct
@Fleura I don't know about the training but it says they live about 7 years
4 people like this
@GardenGerty (160534)
• United States
1 Nov
I have a side question--if they have pouches, why are they not marsupials. I am glad they can be used to help stop trafficking.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (79482)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
1 Nov
@GardenGerty good question I asked and got this reply. They are large muroid rodents and their relatives are gerbils and hamsters,
1 person likes this
@allknowing (135607)
• India
1 Nov
That is good news. I thought only dogs did that.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (79482)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
1 Nov
@allknowing so did I so I suppose putting other animals to work on something so important is a good idea
2 people like this
• Philippines
1 Nov
Wow that's so nice to know.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (339016)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Nov
This is great news indeed. It's an ongoing battle to try to counter the blackmarket trade.
2 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (102256)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
1 Nov
Rats can be useful in our world.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (177241)
• United States
1 Nov
That's great as long as they stay out of my house. Have a good weekend.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (79482)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
1 Nov
@LindaOHio I hope you also have a good weekend
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (177241)
• United States
2 Nov
@RasmaSandra Thank you very much.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35552)
2 Nov
A case where being "nosey" is quite alright. Pretty "rat-astic!" And what an interesting discovery.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (79482)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
2 Nov
@dgobucks226 I love that "rat-astic"
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35552)
3 Nov
1 person likes this
@grenery8 (9954)
• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)
1 Nov
it is good to know they have a purpose
2 people like this
@jstory07 (139446)
• Roseburg, Oregon
2 Nov
That is really good news about those rats.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (105510)
• Marion, Ohio
31 Oct
Rats are very smart
2 people like this