African giant pouched rats, or HeroRATs, are being trained to detect smuggled wildlife products for combating the $23B annual illegal wildlife trade.
Researchers are training African giant pouched rats to detect smuggled wildlife products, including elephant tusks and pangolin scales, to combat the illegal wildlife trade, valued at $23 billion annually. With an exceptional sense of smell, these rats, known as HeroRATs, have previously been used for landmine detection. Their deployment offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional screening methods, aiding efforts to protect endangered species.
October 30, 2024
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