For decades, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) has depended upon the expertise of trained professionals, the precision of specialised tools, and the keen senses of canine companions. Yet, in the ongoing battle against landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO), an unlikely ally has joined the ranks—the lowly rat. Namely, the African giant pouched rat.
Often called HeroRATs, these creatures have been quietly revolutionising the way explosive threats are detected and neutralised. Despite their modest size and humble reputation, these gentle and intelligent rodents are remarkably effective at detecting explosives and uncovering hidden dangers. Beyond their efficiency and reliability, they bring unique strategic advantages that are challenging long-established military conventions in EOD operations. This article explores the surprising evolution of the HeroRAT’s role in explosive detection. It traces their historical roots, examines their biological capabilities, and considers their wider humanitarian impact within the broader landscape of modern EOD technologies.
Images Sourced From: APOPO
1 Background
The use of rats in warfare dates back to the ‘Explosive Rat’ of the Second World War, which was utilised by the British Special Operations Executive (SOE) from 1941 to sabotage enemy boilers. Today, however, rats no longer serve as explosives themselves, but instead as a means to detect them. The concept of utilising rodents for explosive detection might seem novel. Its roots lie, however, in recognising the exceptional olfactory abilities of these creatures, their relatively cheap training costs, and reliability. [source]
Indeed, Chief of the Army Research Office’s Life Sciences Division in Charlottesville, USA, states that these rats can be trained to detect “anything from mines to humans buried in earthquake rubble”. These rodents therefore benefit both official and humanitarian organisations. While the traditional image of a rat might be one of an urban pest, the African giant pouched rat possesses characteristics that make it well-suited for this life-saving work. Consequently, the humble rat aptly serves as a helping hand in war, conflict, and humanitarian crisis zones alike. [source]
1.1 Origins
The initial ideas for employing rats in demining likely stemmed from observations of their light weight (circa three pounds), and highly developed sense of smell. Together, these traits help them to nimbly locate food in the wild and navigate complex environments. Recognising that explosives emit specific volatile organic compounds, the potential for training rats to identify these scents became a compelling prospect. Moreover, their ability to scuttle into difficult locations and learn to detect multiple scents at once is highly beneficial for EOD operations. Despite the long tradition of rats and warfare since WWII, however, the idea still faced early skepticism. Developing effective training methods for animals not typically associated with such tasks presented several challenges. [source, source]
1.2 The Founding of APOPO
The breakthrough in utilising rats for EOD came with the founding of APOPO, a Belgian non-governmental organisation whose acronym translates to Anti-Personnel Landmines Removal Product Development. APOPO was founded with the explicit mission of training rodents to detect landmines, other explosives, and even tuberculosis in humans. The charity pioneered techniques to harness the natural abilities of African giant pouched rats for humanitarian demining with the mission to save lives and bring peace to affected communities. Their innovative approach involved training the rats from birth using positive reinforcement techniques, primarily with food rewards like banana paste. In 2021, one such HeroRAT named Magawa was awarded a PDSA Gold Medal for his ‘lifesaving bravery”, discovering 71 landmines and 38 items of unexploded ordnance in his 5 years of service. APOPO has overall been very successful, particularly in countries like Mozambique, Tanzania, and Cambodia. [source]
2 Biological Characteristics and Training
Understanding the specific characteristics of the African giant pouched rat and the methods used to train them is essential to appreciating their role in EOD. Their unique biology and APOPO’s specialised training programme are key to their effectiveness. [source]
2.1 Characteristics of African Giant Pouched Rats
The African giant pouched rat (Cricetomys gambianus) is a large rodent species native to sub-Saharan Africa. Despite their size–they roughly weigh 3 pounds and can grow up to 3 feet–they possess several advantages for demining work. Their relatively light weight means they are unlikely to detonate pressure-activated landmines when they walk across a minefield. Furthermore, they are intelligent, easily trainable with positive reinforcement, and possess an exceptional sense of smell. Their friendly and gentle nature, as noted by Army Maj. John Ringquist, also facilitates handling and interaction with human trainers. [source, source]
2.2 The Training Process
APOPO has developed a comprehensive and rigorous training programme for their HeroRATs. From a young age, the rats are socialised and introduced to the scent of TNT through cigarette-sized filters. They are trained using a clicker technique and positive intermittent reinforcement, where they receive food rewards, preferably banana paste, for correctly identifying the target scent. In the field, the rats learn to scratch the soil twice when they detect explosive powder. This clear indication allows their human handlers to mark the location of the potential threat. The training can take up to 12 months before handlers are confident in the rat’s ability to consistently and accurately detect explosives. Notably, handlers train the rats from birth to ignore scrap metal, a significant advantage over traditional metal detectors. [source, source, source, source]
Other organisations, such as the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) in the UK, have also endeavoured to improve the training of bomb-detection rats. The research carried out by the Dstl looked into using a carousel system to expose rats to multiple smells simultaneously. The scientists aim to mimick real-life environments where rats need to detect one specific scent among many. However, Dstl clarified that the MOD does not currently use rats as military working animals. The Dstl research largely aims to improve dog training by integrating its findings. [source]
3 Advantages Over Alternative EOD Methods
The use of rats in EOD offers several key advantages compared to more conventional methods:
- Safety: Their light weight prevents them from detonating pressure-activated mines, significantly reducing the risk to both humans and the animals themselves. [source, source]
- Efficiency: Rats can work much faster than humans relying on metal detectors, especially in densely vegetated areas. While they cover about 100 square yards a day, their speed in pinpointing explosives within that area is remarkable. [source, source]
- Accuracy: Trainers teach the rats to specifically sniff out TNT, the explosive in most landmines, leading to fewer false positives compared to metal detectors that detect all types of metal. [source, source]
- Accessibility: Rats can scurry and climb in tight spaces, such as tunnels, where larger animals or vehicles cannot access. [source]
- Cost-Effectiveness: Training and maintaining rats is generally cheaper than using mine-clearing vehicles or maintaining kennels of mine-detecting dogs. [source, source]
- Detection Capability: Animals, including rats, are capable of identifying explosives at lower concentrations than abiotic systems. [source]
3.1 Rats vs. Dogs
While dogs have been the traditional animal of choice for explosive detection, rats offer distinct advantages. As mentioned, their lighter weight and ability to ignore scrap metal provide significant operational benefits. While dogs are often perceived as more loyal, the HeroRATs’ success has shown that effectiveness transcends typical human preferences. Compared to advanced technologies like metal detectors and mine-clearing vehicles, rats are often more cost-effective and can access areas that machinery cannot. [source, source, source, source]
Furthermore, the US Army Research Laboratory has sponsored research under the Rugged Automated Training System (R.A.T.S.) programme. The research seeks to determine how rats could be reliably and inexpensively trained to detect IEDs and mines, aiming to expand the Army’s detection capabilities without replacing dogs. [source]
3.2 Rats vs. Advanced Technologies
Emerging technologies such as Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) equipped with Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) are also being developed for EOD. These technologies offer contactless detection and neutralisation capabilities, but they often come with much higher costs and technological complexities. Rats provide a low-cost, readily deployable, and biologically sophisticated alternative or complement to these advanced systems. According to a 2021 report by the NATO EOD Explosive Ordnance Centre of Excellence, “history shows that not the strongest but the most adaptable species” survive the most difficult times. Sources show that alternative methods and species, such as using honeybees and dolphins for explosive detection, are also being explored. This therefore highlights the growing interest in leveraging the natural senses of animals in EOD. [source, source, source]
4 Humanitarian Impact in Mine-Contaminated Regions
The HeroRATs have proved to be effective for humanitarian missions, border control, and explosive ordnance detection, as attested by a research project to the US Army Research Laboratory. Primarily, HeroRATs strengthen humanitarian demining efforts in countries like Cambodia, which remain heavily contaminated with landmines and UXO. In these areas, remnants of past conflicts pose an ongoing threat to civilian populations, hindering development and causing tragic accidents. In Cambodia alone, millions of landmines and unexploded ordnances remain, a legacy of decades of conflict. Since 2016, APOPO’s HeroRATs have found hundreds of anti-personnel mines and unexploded bombs in Cambodia. As a result, they are able to return safe land to communities for agriculture and development. The work of the rats directly translates to saving lives and limbs, allowing people to live without the constant fear of hidden explosives. [source, source, source, source, source]
5 The Future of Rats and Transition to Other Technology
While rats have proven to be a valuable and unconventional EOD tool, the field is constantly evolving. As new technologies develop, the future will likely see a combination of methods, with a gradual shift towards more advanced and cost-effective solutions.
5.1 Continued Deployment and Expansion of Rat Programmes
Despite technological advancements, HeroRAT programmes continue to expand and play a crucial role in demining efforts worldwide. APOPO plans to expand its rat force and operational reach, replacing retiring retiring rodents, as each typically works for about eight years. Their continued success and cost-effectiveness ensure their relevance in the foreseeable future, especially in resource-constrained environments. [source, source]
5.2 Research into Automated Training Systems
Recognising the potential for wider deployment, research has been conducted into developing automated systems for training rats to detect explosives. The Rugged Automated Training System (R.A.T.S.) aimed to create a low-cost system for inexpensively training rats to detect buried explosives. This could further lower costs and increase the availability of these animal detectors. This focus on improving the efficiency and scalability of rat training indicates a commitment to their continued use. [source]
5.3 Integration with and Transition to Advanced Technologies
The future of EOD will likely involve an integrated approach, combining the strengths of various detection and disposal methods. While rats offer unique advantages in detection, other technologies excel in different aspects of EOD operations. For instance, EOD technicians increasingly use robots for the safe disposal and neutralisation of explosive devices, allowing them to operate at a safe distance. Exoskeletons are being developed to reduce the physical burden on EOD operators, enhancing their endurance and capabilities. UAV-based GPR systems offer the potential for rapid, contactless detection of buried threats over large areas. [source]
As these technologies mature, become more cost-effective, and address current limitations, they may gradually adopt a larger role in EOD. In doing so, this may lead to a transition away from animal-based detection in some contexts. The unique sensory abilities and low cost of rats, however, may secure their niche in specific EOD scenarios for years to come. The communication and data transfer capabilities of modern EOD suits, as highlighted by Lubawa S.A.’s developments, will also be crucial in integrating information from various detection methods, including animal-based ones, into a comprehensive operational picture. [Source, source]
6 Conclusion
The deployment of African giant pouched rats in EOD operations is more than just a novel tactic. It represents a remarkable example of how unconventional thinking can lead to transformative, life-saving results. These HeroRATs, with their exceptional olfactory abilities, light weight, and gentle disposition, have defied expectations. These remarkable creatures have become invaluable in the fight against landmines and UXO.
While the future of EOD will undoubtedly be shaped by technological advancements, the legacy of the HeroRATs stands as a testament to the power of innovation. Their success demonstrates the potential for even the most unexpected allies to significantly enhance global safety and security. As EOD technologies continue to evolve, integrating animal detection methods alongside or within these advancements, may pave the way for a safer future for conflict-stricken communities.
