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Overview

An African Giant Pouched rat during search for mines in a test field in Tanzania. Rats have shown promising results and may thus become a future supplement to mine dogs.
   
Dogs are good detectors but they may fail to find mines if they are incorrectly trained or if the conditions do not allow detection of vapour from landmines.

The GICHD Mine Dog Detection (MDD) project was implemented independently, but was closely interlinked with other demining assets. The aim was initially to develop international standards and guidelines, including conducting the necessary research to understand their strengths and limitations. However, the project has evolved into something more as it also provides a focal point and a platform for cooperation between research and practice. The aims will change over time, as a direct product of current and future research results and practical experience. Although dogs are the main focus, some elements focus on the alternative use of rats and chemical vapour detection. More than 20 different activities have so far been completed or are in progress.

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