First non-profit centre to train mine detection rats

Apopo Visitor Center of Cambodia holds the record for being the first non-profit centre to train mine detection rats in Indochina. It is a global non-profit organization that trains African giant pouched rats (fondly nicknamed ‘HeroRATs’) to save lives by detecting landmines and tuberculosis in economically challenged countries. The organisation has designed and built a demonstration area where the HeroRATs sniff out buried items, scratch at the surface to indicate they’ve found something to trainers and receive a tasty treat as a reward.