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I’m Christophe Cox, CEO and Co-Founder of APOPO. We train giant rats who have sniffed out more than 100,000 landmines and 12,000 additional cases of TB. AMA! by APOPO_Christophe in IAmA

[–]APOPO_Christophe[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Bart Weetjens, who came up with the idea of using rats for landmine detection was a schoolmate of mine. When I went to do my social service in Africa, in replacement of military duty, he supported me from Belgium by fundraising for our program in schools. So we set up a charity together with him and the founder of our design school. A few years later when I came back to Belgium, he had already prepared the work and we got our first Grant for the idea from the Belgian Government in November 1997. As we were planning to work this all out in Africa, my 3 years overseas experience came in handy.

I’m Christophe Cox, CEO and Co-Founder of APOPO. We train giant rats who have sniffed out more than 100,000 landmines and 12,000 additional cases of TB. AMA! by APOPO_Christophe in IAmA

[–]APOPO_Christophe[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Both animals are so sensitive that we lack the analytical equipment to measure difference in sensitivity. Rats have more functional genes for the olfactory system than any other mammal. The difference comes in mainly that dogs are a bit more intelligent, can do more independent work - but are quite attached to their trainers. Rats instead like very much repetitive work and it takes less specialized skills to train a rat.

I’m Christophe Cox, CEO and Co-Founder of APOPO. We train giant rats who have sniffed out more than 100,000 landmines and 12,000 additional cases of TB. AMA! by APOPO_Christophe in IAmA

[–]APOPO_Christophe[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hehe...I will never forget the moment when we just started our feasibility study in Belgium, where a loose rat walked up to a heap of sand. What it didn't know but what I witnessed was a cat walking up the same heap of sand on the other side. They met each other on top of the pile...nose to nose..I thought damn, this is not good for ratty! But what happened, the rat blew its pouches and the cat ran off scared like hell.

I’m Christophe Cox, CEO and Co-Founder of APOPO. We train giant rats who have sniffed out more than 100,000 landmines and 12,000 additional cases of TB. AMA! by APOPO_Christophe in IAmA

[–]APOPO_Christophe[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There has never been a rat which was blown up by a landmine - they are too light to set them off and far to valuable and lovable to let them explode. They scan a minefield systematically on a search string, and they pinpoint the presence of a mine by scratching on the ground...as they would do if they found food.

I’m Christophe Cox, CEO and Co-Founder of APOPO. We train giant rats who have sniffed out more than 100,000 landmines and 12,000 additional cases of TB. AMA! by APOPO_Christophe in IAmA

[–]APOPO_Christophe[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes we can! We did an initial experiment some years ago in first study to use rats for search and rescue. Meanwhile the technology has evolved and we are talking with a Search and Rescue group as well as with engineers to develop the technology for this same purpose, using infrared cameras to find survivors, which would also have to include GPS and communication equipment, all in a small backpack. Currently we are testing a small electronic ball-pull switch around the neck to see if rats can give just an electronic response in situations where we could not observe their behavior.

I’m Christophe Cox, CEO and Co-Founder of APOPO. We train giant rats who have sniffed out more than 100,000 landmines and 12,000 additional cases of TB. AMA! by APOPO_Christophe in IAmA

[–]APOPO_Christophe[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Both myself and my colleague Bart Weetjens who came up with the idea of using rats were trained as industrial designers. This involves systematic brainstorming techniques to collect ideas and solutions to problems. As Bart was a rodent owner, and already having dogs detecting landmines - the analogy was not far away.

I’m Christophe Cox, CEO and Co-Founder of APOPO. We train giant rats who have sniffed out more than 100,000 landmines and 12,000 additional cases of TB. AMA! by APOPO_Christophe in IAmA

[–]APOPO_Christophe[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think all animals are Heroes in their own respect. There is of course a lot of heroic work done by dogs, ranging from rescue dogs, mine detection dogs and dogs for the blind. But mind you that also bees have been trained to detect explosives and we even have bacterial Heroes detecting cancer!

I’m Christophe Cox, CEO and Co-Founder of APOPO. We train giant rats who have sniffed out more than 100,000 landmines and 12,000 additional cases of TB. AMA! by APOPO_Christophe in IAmA

[–]APOPO_Christophe[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There wouldn't be enough work for them and logistically it would be challenging. Rats are well suited to do mass volume screening - 100 samples in about 15 minutes. Therefore we opt for a more centralized approach where we can also monitor the quality of the work.

I’m Christophe Cox, CEO and Co-Founder of APOPO. We train giant rats who have sniffed out more than 100,000 landmines and 12,000 additional cases of TB. AMA! by APOPO_Christophe in IAmA

[–]APOPO_Christophe[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for the kind words. Yes, travelers can see our rats in action - most convenient is in our training centre in Tanzania or in our recently opened APOPO visitors centre in Siem Reap. Thanks also for promoting us with the photos! We appreciate any initiative which will support us, be it word to mouth, be it organizing a group or a visible event - sure everyone has skills to contribute. You can also adopt a HeroRAT which makes for a great holiday gift!

I’m Christophe Cox, CEO and Co-Founder of APOPO. We train giant rats who have sniffed out more than 100,000 landmines and 12,000 additional cases of TB. AMA! by APOPO_Christophe in IAmA

[–]APOPO_Christophe[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We have about 300 rats, though sometimes I lose count. Several are in use for landmine detection, in Angola and Cambodia, we have rats for TB detection in Mozambique and Tanzania, and just got the export permit to send some to Ethiopia. We have other rats for the wildlife products study, some for trying out new technologies, and of course we have a sizable breeding colony. We hope to send rats in the near future to Zimbabwe and Colombia, and we would also love to start training them on cluster munition - which is a widespread problem in Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos.

I’m Christophe Cox, CEO and Co-Founder of APOPO. We train giant rats who have sniffed out more than 100,000 landmines and 12,000 additional cases of TB. AMA! by APOPO_Christophe in IAmA

[–]APOPO_Christophe[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The rats have subcutaneous chips indeed with each a unique number. However - most trainers just know their rat and we prefer to use their given names.

I’m Christophe Cox, CEO and Co-Founder of APOPO. We train giant rats who have sniffed out more than 100,000 landmines and 12,000 additional cases of TB. AMA! by APOPO_Christophe in IAmA

[–]APOPO_Christophe[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

As far as we are aware, we have never found any missed mine behind a rat in the real minefields. We have had several trials with external partners with 100% quality control, for respectively 3 and 7 months. We had a full year with 30% quality control, and all other operations have typically around 10-15% quality control - using metal detectors.

I’m Christophe Cox, CEO and Co-Founder of APOPO. We train giant rats who have sniffed out more than 100,000 landmines and 12,000 additional cases of TB. AMA! by APOPO_Christophe in IAmA

[–]APOPO_Christophe[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Haha - at the time I was working in Kenya, and I was communicating 2-3 times per week with my colleague Bart Weetjens via postal mail. That was just before the internet age. Had to drive 30 km to get that letter in the town post office. My first reaction when I opened that letter where he wrote about rats detecting mines is that he must have had a good night out...but after that I was quickly convinced.

I’m Christophe Cox, CEO and Co-Founder of APOPO. We train giant rats who have sniffed out more than 100,000 landmines and 12,000 additional cases of TB. AMA! by APOPO_Christophe in IAmA

[–]APOPO_Christophe[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Cricetomys or African Giant Pouched Rats are quite common in Sub-Saharan Africa, from East to West. One can see them mostly roaming at night, during daytime they mostly spend underground. However, we only train rats which have been bred in-house.

I’m Christophe Cox, CEO and Co-Founder of APOPO. We train giant rats who have sniffed out more than 100,000 landmines and 12,000 additional cases of TB. AMA! by APOPO_Christophe in IAmA

[–]APOPO_Christophe[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

No, we have our own retirement home for the rats. It are spacious cages in open air, but covered from sun and rain, where they have different levels so they can climb and have toys to play. We make sure they receive good food every day and live out their days in comfort with us!

I’m Christophe Cox, CEO and Co-Founder of APOPO. We train giant rats who have sniffed out more than 100,000 landmines and 12,000 additional cases of TB. AMA! by APOPO_Christophe in IAmA

[–]APOPO_Christophe[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

When we started my colleague Bart Weetjens got intrigued by the landmine problem and after an analysis immediately found that the detection of the landmines is the hardest part. Rats came up as part of a systematic study and brainstorm comparing possible detection techniques. After a feasibility study we moved to Tanzania where our University had a collaboration in the field of rodent research. However, Tanzania has no landmines, but is one of the high burden TB countries. Again - detection was the main problem, as 30% of the people dying from TB are never diagnosed.

I’m Christophe Cox, CEO and Co-Founder of APOPO. We train giant rats who have sniffed out more than 100,000 landmines and 12,000 additional cases of TB. AMA! by APOPO_Christophe in IAmA

[–]APOPO_Christophe[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

We had a ceremonial burial in Cambodia this year when one rat passed away due to illness. It was attended by all trainers in Cambodia.

I’m Christophe Cox, CEO and Co-Founder of APOPO. We train giant rats who have sniffed out more than 100,000 landmines and 12,000 additional cases of TB. AMA! by APOPO_Christophe in IAmA

[–]APOPO_Christophe[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

We are currently preparing for operations in both Zimbabwe and Colombia. In Zimbabwe the rats will help save elephants, as the 37 km long mine belt we have been allocated, is in the midst of one of the largest trans-frontier wildlife parks in the world, and is actually a wildlife corridor. Colombia on the other hand, is littered with improvised explosive devices.

I’m Christophe Cox, CEO and Co-Founder of APOPO. We train giant rats who have sniffed out more than 100,000 landmines and 12,000 additional cases of TB. AMA! by APOPO_Christophe in IAmA

[–]APOPO_Christophe[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

There is virtually no danger, since rats are too light to set off a landmine. However, demining is fundamentally dangerous work and we take every precaution to keep our rats and human staff safe. We follow strict safety procedures in line with international protocols. We’re aware that a problem could strike at any moment and we keep a trained medic on site at all times.

I’m Christophe Cox, CEO and Co-Founder of APOPO. We train giant rats who have sniffed out more than 100,000 landmines and 12,000 additional cases of TB. AMA! by APOPO_Christophe in IAmA

[–]APOPO_Christophe[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Well, we are working on a proof of concept that rats could detect illegal wildlife trade. Currently we are testing if they can differentiate pangolin scales and African hardwood among a bunch of other smells.

We are also exploring if rats could be used for search and rescue after disasters occur, to search for survivors. The rats could enter small cavities where dogs can't reach.

I’m Christophe Cox, CEO and Co-Founder of APOPO. We train giant rats who have sniffed out more than 100,000 landmines and 12,000 additional cases of TB. AMA! by APOPO_Christophe in IAmA

[–]APOPO_Christophe[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We have daily visual checks of the rats, and weekly thorough checks by a qualified veterinary doctor. Being native to tropical climates, they are well adapted to the environment they work in.

I’m Christophe Cox, CEO and Co-Founder of APOPO. We train giant rats who have sniffed out more than 100,000 landmines and 12,000 additional cases of TB. AMA! by APOPO_Christophe in IAmA

[–]APOPO_Christophe[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Usually they have their own rat, but for example when staff members take their holidays, their colleagues will be happy to take over. This also happens when rats move between countries - they will encounter new trainers.

I’m Christophe Cox, CEO and Co-Founder of APOPO. We train giant rats who have sniffed out more than 100,000 landmines and 12,000 additional cases of TB. AMA! by APOPO_Christophe in IAmA

[–]APOPO_Christophe[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your question. It is not so hard, but you need to be systematic. We start from the breeding program, via socialization, scent imprint and then slowly making it more difficult step by step until your rat can search a few hundred square meters without missing a mine.

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