Naming a Hero
IMCSE’s donation of £1,000 to APOPO in 2022 not only provided vital support to their ongoing mission but also gave a special name to a HeroRAT – Imsee. Naming a HeroRAT is a gesture of recognition for the invaluable contribution these animals make to humanitarian demining.
The funds contributed by IMCSE helped APOPO to train and care for this detection rat, and ultimately will help create more landmine-free zones around the world. This support is particularly critical as APOPO continues its work in the challenging landscapes of countries like Angola, Cambodia, and Azerbaijan where landmines continue to pose a threat to communities’ safety and well-being.
APOPO: Pioneering Humanitarian Demining with HeroRATs
APOPO is a Belgian non-profit organization with operational headquarters in Tanzania. Their mission is to protect people by eliminating the deadly threat of landmines and tuberculosis through innovative solutions. The groundbreaking approach they use harnesses the extraordinary olfactory abilities of African giant pouched rats, affectionately known as HeroRATs, to detect explosives and diagnose tuberculosis with remarkable speed and accuracy. HeroRATs are at the core of the organization and this is reflected in the way APOPO cares for them.
HeroRATs are trained using positive reinforcement – they receive a tasty food reward when they identify the correct target scent. By ignoring scrap metal and only searching for the scent of explosives, they are much faster at finding landmines than conventional methods. HeroRATs are too light to set off landmines so they are perfectly safe walking on the minefields. When integrated into conventional mine clearance methods, the rats are proven to significantly accelerate operations, helping return safe land to vulnerable communities as quickly and cost-effectively as possible so they can rebuild their lives.
Founded in 1997, APOPO has expanded its operations to various mine-affected countries in the last 25 years. Their dedicated efforts have already resulted in the clearance of over 158,000 landmines and other explosives; and the identification of over 27,000 patients with active tuberculosis (TB) that were missed by their local clinics.
Meet Imsee: The Rising Star
Imsee, an eager HeroRAT, has captured our hearts with his remarkable journey in the field of humanitarian demining. In a short span of time, he has proven himself to be a great asset and is considered a bit of a superstar by his trainers.
As of January 2023, Imsee had completed nine months of training, starting his journey with clicker training at just 10 weeks of age. His progress has been nothing short of exceptional, with Imsee reaching the final field training stage, referred to as “Advanced,” sooner than expected.
Over the last six months of field training, Imsee searched a total of 8,575 square meters of land. During this time, he successfully identified 88.1% of the 396 diffused mines he encountered. Imsee’s dedication has been rewarded with 258 treats, and bananas are his favorite. Imsee’s search efficiency is absolutely clear as he now averages just under 14 minutes to search 100 square meters and is 100% accurate.
Imsee field training
One of the most significant milestones in Imsee’s journey was his successful completion of APOPO’s training with an internal blind test on February 17th, 2023, shortly after celebrating his first birthday on January 24th. Imsee’s consistent accuracy earned him the prestigious “internally accredited” status, and he officially graduated from landmine detection school.
Imsee’s Mission
Imsee’s journey took an international turn in July when he was deployed to Angola as part of the recent batch of HeroRATs sent there by APOPO. Alongside his fellow HeroRATs, Imsee is currently acclimatizing, getting to know his new handlers, and awaiting external accreditation by the national mine action authority in the country.
Imsee receives a reward for successfully detecting a landmine
Angola, like many other countries, bears the tragic legacy of landmines from past conflicts. Imsee’s deployment offers hope to the people of Angola, as these remarkable HeroRATs work tirelessly to clear the land of hidden dangers, making it safer for local communities.
Read more about the impact APOPO’s HeroRATs have on communities across the world.
The Power of Generosity
With the generous support of organizations like IMCSE, APOPO can continue to save lives, clear landmines, and create safer environments for communities affected by conflict.
As we look forward to Imsee and his fellow HeroRATs achieving external accreditation and carrying out their mission in Angola, we are inspired by the remarkable impact of APOPO’s little heroes. Our hope is that, through these collective efforts, we will witness a world free from the devastating threat of landmines, where communities can rebuild and thrive without fear.
Article and photos courtesy of APOPO