APOPO
@herorats
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For 25 years we have tackled #landmines and #tuberculosis around the world using trained African giant pouched rats ( #HeroRATs ) & other scent-detection animals.
Tanzania, Cambodia, Angola
Joined August 2009
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Pinned Tweet
We were honored to receive H.M. Queen Máxima at
#DutchDesignWeek
. APOPO's Esther Haalboom spoke about the Search & Rescue project that is training
#HeroRATs
equipped with an innovative backpack developed by Sander Verdiesen, a former student of TU/e.
📷 © TU/e
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Llewdrac started
#training
as a mine detection rat, but was reassigned to tuberculosis (TB) detection for being a slow walker. He's excelling! He learns the smell of TB-positive samples & the indication behavior (3s nose poke) needed to receive a reward.
#newcareerpath
#herorats
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With mixed feelings, we announce that PDSA Gold-medalist Magawa will be retiring this month. Although still in good health, he has reached a retirement age and is clearly starting to slow down. It is time.
Thanks so much for supporting him!
Read more:
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"When I pull this ball attached to my vest, you will hear a 'BEEP' sound to let you know that I detected pangolin scales!'
How cute is Wildlife detection rat Betty? 🐭 ❤️
#HeroRATs
#SavePangolins
#EndWildlifeCrime
#ProtectBiodiversity
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It is with sadness we announce that Shuri, the much loved HeroRAT, passed away peacefully. We are bereft at the loss of our little hero but so grateful for the great work Shuri was able to do for the people of Angola.
#restinpeace
#loveandlight
#heroesneverdie
#neverforgotten
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Garden High Tea with Jerzy 🐭🌼
Happy
#FullCheekFriday
folks. Make it count!
#FCF
#TGIF
#fridayvibes
#almostweekend
#herorats
#ratcommunity
#APOPO
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One of the challenges of a
#FullCheekFriday
feast is racing siblings to reach the tastiest treats first...😅
After a week of hard work getting socialized & learning to wear different harnesses, these HeroPUPs are really happy that the weekend is finally here! Have a great one! 🐭
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HeroPUP Malaika digs in to her
#FullCheekFriday
treats in the lush garden! 💚🐭🌽
Have a great weekend everyone!
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Our small HeroRATs have a whole lot to say. This guide to rat body language is very helpful when interpreting the messages our rats send us. 😊🐭
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APOPO is training HeroRATs for Search & Rescue. The rats have a great sense of smell, and can move through small spaces to search for survivors. The basic behavioral sequence is: search for victim, pull ball to communicate victim has been found, then return to trainer for reward.
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Meet Ronin 🐭 He is a gentle landmine detection rat and loves shoulder rides. On the minefield, he is focused and hardworking. Based in Cambodia, Ronin safely sniffs out deadly explosives faster than conventional solutions.
#herorats
#APOPO
#rats
#minedetection
#ratofthemonth
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We all need to protect ourselves from the sun. Our HeroRATs are nocturnal. We work with them in the early morning, apply sunscreen to bare ears and tails and stop before it gets hot. Here, a rat handler in Angola applies sunscreen to
#HeroRAT
Senzo's ears and tail before work.
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In rural
#Cambodia
, many people are farmers, using tractors, cows or buffaloes. These are heavy enough to trigger an anti-vehicle mine. Our APOPO HeroRAT Gladys found 2 anti-vehicle mines at Trapeang Plouh Village in Siem Reap province with her unique sense of smell! Way to go!
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Ah yes, dopamine release…
These six African giant pouched rat pups were brought to
#APOPO
by a kind rescuer. Estimated at about 4 weeks old we’re grateful for this opportunity to provide a safe haven and plenty of loving care.
#grateful
#ratpile
#futureheroes
#cutenessoverload
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Nothing beats a job well done! 🏆 HeroRAT Miriam correctly identified all 3 landmines in her 20-minute training session and each time she indicated by scratching at the surface of the ground, she heard a "CLICK", and received a tasty treat 🍌
#training
#landmines
#APOPO
#herorats
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🕊️ Reflecting on the sad anniversary of Turkey's earthquake disaster, we stand in solidarity with survivors. Our hearts ache for those affected in Turkey & Syria. Grateful for support from partners as our Search & Rescue project develops.
#APOPO
#RescueRATs
#RememberingTurkey
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Did you know that APOPO trains rats to detect more than
#landmines
and
#tuberculosis
?
Watch the video and learn more:
Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel!
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Today is
#MineAwarenessDay
and also
#WorldRatDay
. Let's take a moment to honor our amazing HeroRATs and their vital contribution toward achieving a
#MineFreeWorld
.E ach year we use this opportunity to reflect on our work and celebrate our achievements:
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I really need a day between Saturday and Sunday... 😅
#HeroRATs
#APOPO
#StopMines
#StopTB
#SavingLives
#Diversity
#Innovation
#SocialTransformation
#Solidarity
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'It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change... and a tasty banana!'
Happy
#FullCheekFriday
from Izzy and HeroRAT Darwin 🐭🍌
#herorats
#FCF
#DarwinApprovedScience
#NoFoodWaste
#WildlifeDetectionRat
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Putting a jacket on can be a slippery business.
#HeroRATs
start their training journey at around 5 weeks old with
#socialization
and
#habituation
. These pups are learning to wear harnesses in various sizes. Some take a little getting used to. 😅
#harnessarat
#amischiefofrats
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Rat trainer Bahati and HeroRAT Saka share a sweet banana moment. Happy
#FullCheekFriday
🎉
Gotta love those
#whiskers
...
#helloweekend
#herorats
#FCF
#happinessisthreebananas
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Watermelon anyone? 🍉
Only the freshest for our
#FullCheekFriday
... Aryana the HeroRAT enjoys a whole slice of watermelon to herself.
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"Why rats?"
- They have a highly-developed sense of smell
- They're very intelligent & easy to train
- They're too light to set off landmines
- They're locally sourced in Tanzania
- They're easily transferable between trainers
- They're easy to care for
- They live ±8 years
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Pups Lois, Orpheus & Splinter head outside for today's
#socialization
session. The trainers gently watch over the 3 siblings who are eager to explore but are careful not to venture too far. They know & trust their humans & enjoy these sessions exploring the big world around them.
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Today is Magawa's birthday! 🎂
We can confirm that he is very much enjoying his retirement. 😃
You can wish him a happy birthday and send him some love, by leaving a comment and like below ❤️ 👇
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Happiness is a handful of HeroRAT pups!
The first step to becoming a HeroRAT is “socialization”. APOPO handlers gently carry them around, introducing them to sights, smells, and sounds in their training environment.
#helloworld
#heropups
#socialization
#habituation
#APOPO
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Tiny hero at rest: Even
#HeroRATs
need their beauty sleep! 🐭💤
#sleepinghero
#adorableRATnap
#APOPO
#rats
#futureheroes
#babyrats
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Our
#HeroRATs
are nocturnal. To minimize the effect of the sun, we train them in the cool, early morning hours. Here, one of our trainers warms up HeroRAT Maple before her session.
#walkies
#warmup
#pretraining
#animalheroes
#APOPO
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Today is
#WorldAnimalDay
, let’s pay tribute to our HeroRATs, who for over 2 decades have worked tirelessly alongside us to protect people, livestock and wildlife from the threat of landmines and tuberculosis.
You are truly amazing! 💙🐭🧡
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🌟 Happy
#FullCheekyFriday
! 🌟
Oh Mirasol, our big bundle of cheek and mischief! With her shiny fur and twinkling eyes, Mirasol spreads happiness wherever she scurries. 🐭🎉
#AfricanGiantPouchedRat
#herorats
#CheekPouches
#FCF
#APOPO
#helloweekend
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The truth about sharing a bed...😂😂😂 Our rats live in pairs (typically siblings) for as long as they are happy to be. Housing kennels are dimly lit & well-ventilated. Each home cage has a round clay pot & plenty of bedding to simulate a natural underground nest for cozy rest.
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Did you know that a
#HeroRAT
can fit a WHOLE banana 🍌in their cheeks with careful chewing and placement 😅
Last
#FullCheekFriday
of the year features Teddy and Chiquita - have an amazing weekend folks! New year's resolutions coming in hot. See you next year 💫🐭
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Warning: Going to sleep on Sunday will cause Monday... 😴
#herorats
#sleepysunday
#restrecharge
#herorats
#APOPO
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Excited to announce 15 precious additions to the HeroRATs family! ❤️ We stopped by to check on the pups and mamas; they are thriving. Patient, attentive and nurturing mothers like Haikaeli, Megan and Bonnie, positively impact the learning abilities and well-being of a litter.
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Not all
#HeroRATs
are the same. When young Lanner began to struggle in training, Dr. Cindy Fast gave him extra attention to build his confidence by allowing him to explore the world while getting comfortable in his harness. Lanner, you've got this!
#training
#APOPO
#futureheroes
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Carat bets you wish chubby cheeks looked this cute on you! 💛
HeroRAT Carat was named by our good friend Ann who chose the name Carat because she is worth her weight in gold! ✨ Thanks for visiting Ann!
#FullCheekFriday
#weekendvibes
#cheekpouches
#herorats
#FCF
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HeroRAT Lukaku wishes you all the lovely gifts of spring 🐣🐰💐
Happy Easter to all those celebrating today!
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#HeroRAT
Betty takes a nap as she waits. The rats are nocturnal, so they get some shuteye when not training. She's on the
#APOPO
Wildlife Detection team being trained to detect illegal wildlife products, eg. pangolin scales.
#EndWildlifeCrime
#ProtectBiodiversity
@giz_gmbh
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Stage 1 of
#Training
: Socialization & Habituation teaches
#HeroRAT
pups to trust humans and encourages their natural curiosity to explore new environments.
#newbeginnings
#herorats
#exploring
#curiosity
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The 1st stage of a HeroRAT's training is socialization to humans & habituation to various environments. Training begins when rat pups first open their eyes at 4 weeks. Uncle Albert introduces this group to the 'School Bus', which will take them to & from the training minefield.
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🐭 + 🥑 = 💛
Our
#HeroRATs
are African giant pouched rats (Cricetomys ansorgei). This large muroid rodent is native to
#Tanzania
. They are
#omnivores
&
#nocturnal
. They get their name from their cheek pouches used to store and carry food.
Happy
#FullCheekFriday
from Jordan!
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Today is
#WorldAnimalDay
, let’s pay tribute to our HeroRATs, who for over 25 years have worked tirelessly alongside us to protect people, livestock and wildlife from the threat of landmines and tuberculosis. You are truly amazing! 💙🐭🧡
#APOPO
#ServiceAnimals
#AnimalHeroes
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Bananas...good to the last bite! 🐭🍌
Happy
#FullCheekFriday
from trainer Charity and HeroRAT Silver 💛
A weekend well spent brings a whole week of contentment...
#helloweekend
#fridayvibes
#TGIF
#FCF
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HeroRAT
#Ronin
found an Anti-Tank Mine today in a minefield in Preah Vihear province,
#Cambodia
. Had a tractor triggered the mine, it could have endangered the lives of everyone nearby. Swift action was taken, and the mine was safely disposed of.
#APOPO
#HeroRATs
#SavingLives
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Handling a rat needs to be with a gentle touch. They need to feel comfortable and secure so are picked up in a way that supports their large frame, and are held close to the body with firm footing. HeroRATs respond better to confident handlers.
🐭: TB-detection rat Carolina
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A mine detection rat can check the area of a tennis court in just 30 minutes, a job that could take a deminer with a metal detector up to four days depending on how much scrap metal is lying around.
Watch our video to discover how:
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Rats may have a bad reputation, but they're actually incredibly clean animals! They spend a significant amount of time grooming their fur and keeping themselves tidy. 🐭
#CleanAndCute
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Must. Eat. More. Banana. 🍌
Happy
#FullCheekFriday
from Travis 🐭
Enjoy the weekend everyone!
#helloweekend
#herorats
#fcf
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After a relaxing weekend, curled up in our cosy home (pictured here dreaming of a heroic future), these mine detection HeroRATs-in-training are excited for Monday morning and a whole new week of searching for landmines at our training field in
#Tanzania
.
#sundayvibes
#herorats
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Rat trainer Amri and HeroRAT Clementina hanging out in the shade of the Eucalyptus...
Enjoy the outdoors and open spaces today 💚🐭
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Subbie loves a good
#FullCheekFriday
feast...
Celebrate the weekend folks ☀️
#TGIF
#FCF
#weekendvibes
#HeroRATs
#helloweekend
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Our lovely HeroRATs sure have a lot to say. This guide to rat body language is very helpful when interpreting the messages our rats send us. 😊🐭
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Do you think that Alvia prefers 🥑or 🥜?
Happy
#FullCheekFriday
everyone!!
#helloweekend
#fridayvibes
#TGIF
#FCF
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Good Morning Sunshine 🌞
Have a restful Sunday everyone! 🐭🐭🐭
#HeroRATs
#SleepySunday
#WhiskersAndEars
#GettingSomeRnR
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Our
#rats
are commonly referred to as African giant pouched rats, but we like to call them
#HeroRATs
! They have a long lifespan, averaging 8+ years in captivity. They have a highly developed sense of smell & are native to sub-Saharan Africa.
#innovation
#socialtransformation
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Happy
#FullCheekFriday
from HeroRAT Luca...
Fun fact: This future Hero was named after Belgian World Snooker Champion Luca Brecel 🏆
#FCF
#Rats
#CheekPouches
#AnimalHeroes
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At around 5 weeks old, HeroPUPs begin “socialization and habituation” training. APOPO handlers gently carry them, introducing them to new people, sounds, places, to teach them about the training environment. Trainer Dibwe gently watches over 2 siblings. They know and trust him.
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Hello Neighbor!
Scheduled exercise sessions in shaded, fun environments are vital for HeroRATs. These areas allow them to express their natural behavior while staying fit for their life-saving duties. Wire mesh barriers encourage safe interaction & exposure to new neighbors.
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🐭 HeroRAT Luca enjoying some downtime in our large, shaded enclosures in
#Tanzania
. Time to be a
#rat
and just explore, run, climb and play. ❤️
#herorats
#animalwelfare
#stayfit
#workoutoftheday
#APOPO
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“We do get attached to our rats, but when they pass their final test and get sent to an operational site, we feel happy because that is our goal.”
Uncle Albert, Rat Socializer Extraordinaire
#heropups
#futureheroes
#herorats
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#HeroRAT
Sunday Plan: Sleep until I'm hungry and then eat until I'm sleepy.
Wishing you all a restful Sunday!
#timelapse
#dayofrest
#herorats
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Did you know that the African giant pouched rats are named so, thanks to their large cheek pouches? These omnivorous rats do not always swallow their food immediately - instead, they store it away in their pouches to feast on later.
Happy
#FullCheekFriday
everyone! 🐭🥕🧡
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Step 3 of HeroRAT training: INDICATION - teaching the rat that it can make its trainer CLICK by touching the tea-egg containing the target scent (in this case TNT) and receive a tasty food reward!
#positivereinforcement
#herorats
#futureheroes
#tanzania
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'Why does
#APOPO
use
#herorats
?'
- They have an amazing sense of smell
- They're very intelligent
- They're too light to set landmines
- They're locally sourced in Tanzania
- They're transferable between trainers
- They're easy to care for
- They live 8 years
#innovation
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HeroRAT Enola in Angola is sniffing out danger and helping to make the world a safer place!
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Things are really getting serious on this end...
Happy
#FullCheekFriday
from Doumbouya and his handler Senga 🥳 Make the weekend count!
#FCF
#TGIF
#herorats
#weekendvibes
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It’s our favorite day of the week: Happy
#FullCheekFriday
little ones! 🐭💫
Have a great weekend folks! Stay warm out there 💛
#FCF
#TGIF
#HeroRATs
#fullcheeks
#futureheroes
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#APOPO
is happy to announce another 12 precious additions to the HeroRAT family in the last week! ❤️🐭 The breeding program at APOPO’s Training & Research Center in
#Tanzania
was activated in preparation for program expansions.
#babyboom
#herorats
#ratcommunity
#futureheroes
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Joining us today for
#FullCheekFriday
are Murat and Sefa from GEA, a Search and Rescue organization in Turkey.
#GEA
is collaborating with our
#RescueRAT
program to help prepare HeroRATs to locate trapped survivors in collapsed buildings. Happy
#FCF
everyone!
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At around 4-5 weeks, the first step to becoming a HeroRAT is taken when the pups begin their 'Socialization & Habituation', it teaches the rats to trust humans and encourages their natural curiosity to explore new environments.
#HeroRATs
#Training
#Innovation
#ScentDetection
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African giant pouched rats have a very sensitive sense of smell. We found that
#HeroRATs
are capable of smelling explosives in picogram quantities. The equivalent to 1 trillionth of a gram of TNT! And from a distance of up to 1 meter.
Infographic: © Kate Francis (Scholastic)
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'Why do you use rats?' is a question we're asked a lot.
Well…
#herorats
#APOPO
#africangiantpouchedrats
#cricetomysansorgei
#tinybutmighty
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Nothing beats a job well done! 🏆
HeroRAT Miriam correctly found all 3 landmines in her training session and each time she indicated by scratching at the surface of the ground, she heard a CLICK , and received a tasty treat 🍌
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Happiness is a sweet banana for a Hero... Happy
#FullCheekFriday
from trainer Gaspar and HeroRAT Eto'o 🥳🐭
#helloweekend
#herorats
#FCF
#happinessiscontagious
#TGIF
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How many peanuts can one
#HeroRAT
fit in their cheeks? Follow the red nut road little one! 🐭💛🥜
Happy
#FullCheekFriday
!
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Step 3 of HeroRAT training: INDICATION - teaching the rat that it can make its trainer CLICK by touching the tea-egg containing the target scent (in this case TNT) and receive a tasty food reward!
#positivereinforcement
#herorats
#futureheroes
#tanzania
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#FullCheekFriday
is here!
HeroRAT Mahinda wishes you all a lovely weekend! 🐭🍉
#TGIF
#FCF
#HeroRATs
#WeekendVibes
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The first stage of HeroRAT training is
#socialization
to humans and
#habituation
to various environments.
Uncle Albert took these pups to an elevated garden. They sure loved that soft, moist, dark hole in the wall 😂
#futureheroes
#herorats
#followyournose
#APOPO
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Our
#HeroRATs
are nocturnal. To minimize the effect of the sun, we work with them in the cool early hours of the morning, apply
#sunscreen
to their ears and tails (that have no fur), and stop before the heat can affect them.
#demining
#saveslives
#minefreeworld
#healthandwelfare
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It's
#FullCheekFriday
! Clearly Picasso's favorite day! 🐭🍌
Have a lovely weekend everyone! ☀️
#herorats
#FCF
#TGIF
#fridayvibes
#helloweekend
#ratcommunity
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#HeroRATs
get regular playtime in large shaded play enclosures with elevated platforms, climbing branches, leaves, tire tunnels, natural mulch & earth to dig in, plus lots of space to run around. Barbara enjoys her playtime!
#AnimalWelfare
#KeepFit
#HappyAnimals
#WorkingRats
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All of
#APOPO
’s lifesaving
#HeroRATs
start at our Training HQ on the campus of Sokoine University of Agriculture in
#Tanzania
. Rats are carefully selected for breeding, and newborn pups begin their journey to becoming a hero by learning to trust humans & the world.
#powerfulnose
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Handling a rat needs to be carried out firmly, yet with a gentle touch. They need to feel comfortable & secure so are picked up in a way that supports their large frame, and held close to the body with firm footing. HeroRATs respond better to confident handlers.
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Meet 🐭 siblings Gregor Mendel, Tiera Guinn (Rocket With The Fletchers) Dario and Silver.
A very happy
#FullCheekFriday
from these four little ones and their trainer Richard! 🍌🥜🦈🌽🥕 ...those are full cheeks alright! Have a great weekend everyone! 💚
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It's that day of the week 🥳
Happy
#FullCheekFriday
from 🐭 Mira at our Training Center in
#Tanzania
.
May the sun shine warm upon your face this weekend! ☀️
#helloweekend
#herorats
#FCF
#animalhero
#rats
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We are incredibly overwhelmed by the response to Magawa being awarded the
#PDSAGoldMedal
! We cannot thank you all enough, for standing with us and recognising the big contribution our HeroRATs are making. A massive shout out to all HeroRAT adopters - thank you! 🧡🐭💙
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