Forget Dogs: These Rats Could Be the Future of Search and Rescue (science.org) 30
Slashdot reader sciencehabit writes: Think search and rescue animal, and you're likely to picture a dog in an orange vest. But a Tanzanian nonprofit wants you to imagine something else: the African giant pouched rat. Donna Kean and her colleagues at APOPO, a nonprofit that trains pouched rats to save lives, have spent the past 2 decades working with the curious animals (Cricetomys ansorgei) to sniff out tuberculosis and track down land mines. Now, they're moving on to search and rescue.
Science caught up with Kean to chat about the new project, known as RescueRats. Topics include, just how to train a rat, what advantages they have over dogs, and whether people would be freaked out about a rodent coming to save them.
Science caught up with Kean to chat about the new project, known as RescueRats. Topics include, just how to train a rat, what advantages they have over dogs, and whether people would be freaked out about a rodent coming to save them.
Yes (Score:5, Funny)
and whether people would be freaked out about a rodent coming to save them.
Because who wouldn't want to see a rat coming at you when you're buried under rubble and unable to escape or fend for yourself, or better yet, feel it crawling over you while unable to move in a confined space.
Re: Yes (Score:2)
Ron Stoppable wants a word.
Re: (Score:2)
Was he the Lone Wanderer?
Not necesarily (Score:4, Funny)
and whether people would be freaked out about a rodent coming to save them.
Because who wouldn't want to see a rat coming at you when you're buried under rubble and unable to escape or fend for yourself, or better yet, feel it crawling over you while unable to move in a confined space.
If the saving rodents has a little LED and a nice reflective vest, maybe you will not be so scared ;-)
Re: (Score:2)
If the saving rodents has a little LED and a nice reflective vest, maybe you will not be so scared ;-)
Me, on the rodent rescue cam: "Am I still alive?"
Re: (Score:3)
If the saving rodents has a little LED and a nice reflective vest, maybe you will not be so scared ;-)
first image from the article... [science.org]
Re: (Score:2)
and whether people would be freaked out about a rodent coming to save them.
Because who wouldn't want to see a rat coming at you when you're buried under rubble and unable to escape or fend for yourself, or better yet, feel it crawling over you while unable to move in a confined space.
If the saving rodents has a little LED and a nice reflective vest, maybe you will not be so scared ;-)
And a microphone/speaker so you can talk to the folks above.
Re: (Score:3)
Re: (Score:2)
Extra points for keeping the one being rescued warm if they're trapped under snow.
Or cooking them. Either way no-one needs rescuing any more.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:3)
Willard (Score:2)
Depends on how long I was down there... (Score:2)
Depends on how long I was down there...might see it as an opportunity for a light snack.
There is 30' documentary from an unlikely source (Score:3)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?... [youtube.com]
Re: (Score:2)
The narrator has a certain creepy Uncle Ernie character to his voice.
My guess is that the narrator had an Uncle Joseph character to his voice. The uncle ernie you hear comes from the person doing the dubbing.
I don't see how they can fit a keg of brandy on a (Score:3)
rat. What are they going to do, carry in airplane mini bottles?
Rats got more (Score:1)
You’re trapped under the rubble (Score:2)
You’re trapped under the rubble, and here come the rats
Re: (Score:2)
As your basic first-aid training (do they still allow people to leave secondary schooling without passing that course) taught you - ignore the screamers and assess the silent ones. They're the ones most likely to die without your assistance.
Rat lifespan (Score:3)
My first thought was "That's stupid; rats have a lifespan of two or three years; they're dying of old age faster than you can train them." But, from TFA, these rats have a lifespan more comparable to dogs, 8 years or more.
Re: (Score:2)
What a missed opportunity! (Score:2)
They could have called them Rescue Rangers, and receive massive investment from furries.
The rats didn't help (Score:2)
Everyone knows what waits for them in Room 101, don't they Winston.
This news article was brought to you by the Ministry of Truth.
Cats take a pass. (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Cats are much more intelligent, good at getting into places -- and will get to you then start washing themselves while watching you suffer.
Rats? What about chipmunks? (Score:2)
After all, they've already proven to be able to rescue people [youtube.com].