rats to stop wildlife trafficking

Rats to the Rescue

@RasmaSandra (90625)

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

https://www.cnn.com/science/giant-african-rat-wildlife-traffickers-spc/index.html?utm

14 people like this

15 responses

@Ronrybs (20942)

• London, England

31 Oct 24

I remember reading about this a while back and thought it had fallen by the wayside.

5 people like this

@RasmaSandra (90625)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

31 Oct 24

@Ronrybs seems they're giving it a try

5 people like this

@Ronrybs (20942)

• London, England

31 Oct 24

@RasmaSandra Good job, we certainly could use fewer landmines

4 people like this

@AmbiePam (105801)

• United States

31 Oct 24

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 (90625)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

31 Oct 24

@AmbiePam if they can be helpful I am all for this

5 people like this

@AmbiePam (105801)

• United States

31 Oct 24

@RasmaSandra They certainly have helped medical research.

5 people like this

@popciclecold (40218)

• United States

31 Oct 24

Interesting.

4 people like this

@snowy22315 (198373)

• United States

31 Oct 24

It is worth keeping them around just for that.

5 people like this

@celticeagle (181465)

• Boise, Idaho

31 Oct 24

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 (33068)

• United Kingdom

31 Oct 24

I read that too. I wonder how long it takes to train them, and how long they live?

4 people like this

@RasmaSandra (90625)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

31 Oct 24

@Fleura I don't know about the training but it says they live about 7 years

4 people like this

@GardenGerty (166291)

• United States

1 Nov 24

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 (90625)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

1 Nov 24

@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 (154166)

• India

1 Nov 24

That is good news. I thought only dogs did that.

2 people like this

@RasmaSandra (90625)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

1 Nov 24

@allknowing so did I so I suppose putting other animals to work on something so important is a good idea

2 people like this

luisadannointed

@luisadannointed (9453)

• Philippines

1 Nov 24

Wow that's so nice to know.

2 people like this

@wolfgirl569 (124589)

• Marion, Ohio

31 Oct 24

Rats are very smart

2 people like this

@JudyEv (365016)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Nov 24

This is great news indeed. It's an ongoing battle to try to counter the blackmarket trade.

2 people like this

@Deepizzaguy (115810)

• Lake Charles, Louisiana

1 Nov 24

Rats can be useful in our world.

2 people like this

@LindaOHio (205379)

• United States

1 Nov 24

That's great as long as they stay out of my house. Have a good weekend.

2 people like this

@RasmaSandra (90625)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

1 Nov 24

@LindaOHio I hope you also have a good weekend

2 people like this

@LindaOHio (205379)

• United States

2 Nov 24

@RasmaSandra Thank you very much.

1 person likes this

@dgobucks226 (36939)

•

2 Nov 24

A case where being "nosey" is quite alright. Pretty "rat-astic!"

And what an interesting discovery.

2 people like this

@RasmaSandra (90625)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

2 Nov 24

@dgobucks226 I love that "rat-astic"

1 person likes this

@dgobucks226 (36939)

•

3 Nov 24

1 person likes this

@jstory07 (146369)

• Roseburg, Oregon

2 Nov 24

That is really good news about those rats.

1 person likes this