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Bart Weetjens - Deploying Rats to Detect Landmines

July 7, 2009

Ten years ago the Ottawa Treaty on the prohibition of anti-personnel mines came into force. Today they still account for thousands of deaths every year. With the help of rats, Bart Weetjens wants to reduce this number.

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Traditionally dogs have been used to detect mines, but their training is costly and many struggle to cope with the climate in Africa. Five years ago the Tanzania-based organisation Apopo began training rats to do the task, and its founder Bart Weetjens is proud of the project's success.

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Ten years ago the Ottawa Treaty on the prohibition of anti-personnel mines came into force. Although it has since been signed and ratified by most UN member states, landmines still account for thousands of deaths every year. With the help of rats, social entrepreneur Bart Weetjens wants to reduce this number.
July 7, 200906:21 min

www.apopo.org

www.apopo.org