Cricetomys ansorgei for landmine detection in Angola’s Post-Conflict Rehabilitation

Angola’s landscape still bears the remnants of a nearly three-decade-long civil war (1975-2002), with numerous anti-personnel mines posing a significant threat to communities. To mitigate these dangers and restore arable land, the non-governmental organization APOPO employs trained Cricetomys ansorgei, commonly known as Southern giant pouched rats, to detect explosive devices. These “hero rats,” trained from an early age to associate the scent of TNT with rewards, offer a reliable and safe means of identifying buried explosives due to their sensitivity to smell and low body weight, which prevents detonation. Deployed alongside metal detectors, these rodents have proven instrumental in de-mining efforts, enabling efficient land clearance with minimal risk to human operators. Initially conceived by Belgian founder Bart Weetjens, APOPO’s method has evolved since early tests in Mozambique in 2003 and now includes a team of approximately 110 rats actively involved in landmine detection. Supported by international funding from Japanese and Belgian sources, APOPO has facilitated the clearance of vast areas, transforming hazardous lands into safe, cultivable plots and fostering socioeconomic recovery for Angolan communities.