How giant rodents could rat on wildlife traffickers

The African giant pouched rat, commonly referred to as 'HeroRATs,' has demonstrated impressive capabilities, such as detecting landmines, tuberculosis, and rescuing survivors in disaster zones. These Tanzania-based non-profit-trained rodents are now being employed to help tackle the illegal wildlife trade, a global issue valued at up to $23 billion annually.

Traditionally, wildlife traffickers disguise illegal products like ivory and rhino horns to pass through inspection points undetected. However, HeroRATs have now been successfully trained to identify such products, enhancing existing wildlife detection methods alongside trained dogs.

These rats offer distinct advantages: smaller size, simpler maintenance, and a cost-effective training process. Their acute sense of smell allows them to excel in densely packed environments like shipping containers. Their role is expanding, with successful proof-of-concept studies showcasing their ability to detect hidden wildlife products even under scent-masking conditions.

This initiative aims to heighten detection rates, thereby increasing the risk and costs for traffickers, which could potentially reduce demand for illicit wildlife products while addressing the broader consequences on ecosystems and public health. With an average lifespan of eight years, their year-long training is considered a valuable investment. The rats' intelligence and curiosity make them adept learners, capable of adapting to new tasks through structured training programs.

Although these efforts are in preliminary stages, the organization behind HeroRATs plans to further test and optimize their deployment in operational environments. This innovative approach hopes to provide a sustainable and efficient alternative to conventional wildlife crime detection strategies.