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It is now clear that rats can be trained to detect landmines in the field. The economics of training and using rats operationally could be lower than for dogs. However, there is need for a proper test and validation to justify such claims, and to field test the use of rats in minefields. There is also need for further work on the potential of rats as REST detectors. The work of APOPO, a Belgian research organisation with base in Morogoro, Tanzania, is helping to identify undesired clues that animal detectors can use during the detection process. Thus APOPO will potentially help to identify essential improvements for REST dog programmes. |
