Rescue rats trained to find ‘victims buried in rubble’ after earthquakes

• Rats are being taught to be released into earthquake rubble while wearing tiny backpacks.
• It only took two weeks for their proper training.
• Scientists are testing homemade prototype backpacks with a microphone by throwing them into simulated debris.

Rats are being taught to be released into earthquake rubble while wearing tiny backpacks, allowing rescuers to speak with survivors.

Seven rats have been trained so far, and it only took them two weeks to get them up to speed.

At the moment, scientists are testing homemade prototype backpacks with a microphone by throwing them into simulated debris.

Read more: An earthquake in Japan

During genuine earthquakes, special backpacks including microphones, camera equipment, and GPS trackers will be built to allow rescue crews to connect with survivors.

Dr. Donna Kean, a research scientist from Glasgow, is working on the groundbreaking study.

Donna spent a year in Morogoro, Tanzania, East Africa, working with the non-profit organization APOPO on the Hero Rats project.

When the rodents are transferred to Turkey, which is prone to earthquakes, to work with a search and rescue team, GAE, they will have the opportunity to work in the field.

Read more: 4 dead, 41 injured after earthquake strikes in Sichuan

Donna was originally interested in monkey behavior. While, she studied ecology at Strathclyde University before moving on to undertake an MA at the University of Kent and a PhD at Stirling University.

She was, however, impressed by how rapidly rats can learn and be trained, and she believes it is a myth that they are unsanitary.

She called them “sociable” creatures and believes that the work being done would save lives.

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