Innovative Use of Trained African Rats for Rescue Missions in Turkey

Turkey has launched an innovative approach to search and rescue operations, employing trained rats equipped with cameras and tracking devices to assist in locating individuals trapped under debris following the devastating earthquake in February 2023.

Advanced Technologies to Enhance Survivor Recovery

The initiative focuses on training special rats to recognize human scent. These rats carry a small pack containing a camera, a tracking system, and a two-way communication device, enabling rescue teams to receive real-time information about the presence and locations of survivors beneath the rubble.

Exceptional Capabilities of African Rats

The project features these animals, referred to as "hero rats," imported from Tanzania, currently undergoing intensive training in simulated disaster environments in Antalya, southern Turkey. Reports indicate that field operations involving these rats will commence once training is completed and official approvals are secured.

Access to Narrow and Complex Areas

This project leverages the natural abilities of these African rats, which are slightly larger than typical rats, allowing them to carry imaging equipment and navigate tight spaces that are challenging for humans or robots to access.

Return and Reuse for Emergency Missions

The trained rats also possess the unique ability to return to their starting point after completing a mission, making them reusable for multiple rescue operations during large-scale disasters affecting various regions simultaneously.

Enhancing Rescue Tools Alongside Dogs and Robots

Turkish rescue teams have previously utilized trained dogs and robotic systems to locate survivors during the 2023 earthquake. The addition of trained rats is expected to serve as an effective supplementary tool to enhance the efficiency of search operations, particularly in complex sites that hinder quick access to trapped individuals.

A Humanitarian Crisis Driving Innovation

The 2023 earthquake resulted in approximately 55,000 fatalities and over 100,000 injuries, with many survivors trapped for extended periods, some exceeding a week. This tragedy has prompted authorities to develop faster and more precise rescue methods to better respond to future disasters.