A groundbreaking initiative is underway in African ports to combat the illegal wildlife trade with the help of a unique team of border patrol agents – rats. These African giant pouched rats have been specially trained to detect pangolin scales, elephant ivory, and other items from endangered species, offering a new tool in the fight against wildlife smuggling.
Researchers have reported their findings in Frontiers in Conservation Science, showcasing the potential for these rodents to play a significant role in curbing the international wildlife trade. Isabelle Szott, a behavioral ecologist involved in the training of these rats in Morogoro, Tanzania, highlighted the devastating impact that wildlife smugglers have on biodiversity through brutal practices such as poaching rhinos and elephants.
While some ports currently utilize canines for detection purposes, African pouched rats, scientifically known as Cricetomys ansorgei, offer unique advantages. These rats possess an exceptional sense of smell, agility, and are cost-effective to maintain. APOPO, a nonprofit organization known for deploying scent-detection animals, has successfully trained rats to detect landmines and even tuberculosis in mucus samples in the past.
The training process for these rats involved teaching them to differentiate between various odors, including those of the targeted wildlife species and other benign scents. By rewarding the rats when they correctly identified the target odor, researchers were able to successfully train them to signal and receive treats. The rats were trained to identify pangolin scales, rhino horn, elephant tusk, and African blackwood, among other scents commonly used by smugglers to conceal their illicit goods.
After mastering their olfactory skills in the lab, the trained rats have progressed to mock warehouses and real ports to put their abilities to the test. While new recruits continue their training, some of the original rats have retired to a comfortable life in an APOPO retirement colony, where they are pampered with a diet of fruits, vegetables, and sun-dried fish.
This innovative approach to wildlife detection represents a promising step forward in the ongoing battle against illegal wildlife trafficking. With their keen sense of smell and agility, these tiny red-vested agents could make a significant impact in preserving endangered species and protecting biodiversity in African ports.
