INTERESTING: Backpack rats are the new faces of rescue in natural disasters
First there were cockroaches, now there are rats...
We've heard of scientists doing some really out there things in their research attempts. As much as it may be weird and completely crazy to us, it comes with a sense of reason.
Maybe we won't see the reason, because we are not in the field, but in this case, ironically enough, we kind of understand the thought pattern.
A project that has been conceived by a Belgian non-profit APOPO has turned many heads (in interest).
They are kitting out rats with "high-tech backpacks to help first responders search for survivors among rubble in disaster zones. Rats are typically quite curious and like to explore – and that is key for search and rescue,” says Donna Kean, a behavioral research scientist and leader of the project." (CNN)
It is interesting to us that these rodents that generally make everyone shriek in horror can be used as rescuers during such stressful times.
If you didn't already know, these rodents are quite adventurous in spirit and have an excellent sense of smell, which proves great in locating things in small spaces.
"The rats are currently being trained to find survivors in a simulated disaster zone. They must first locate the target person in an empty room, pull a switch on their vest that triggers a beeper, and then return to base, where they are rewarded with a treat." (CNN)
The non-profit is partnering with Eindhoven University of Technology to create a backpack that is equipped with a camera, two-way microphone, and a location transmitter. This way their search and rescue attempts can be monitored.
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The idea of the rat pack has been in the pipeline for some time, but they were waiting for funding. Certainly not something that we saw for the future, but with the way things are going, anything and everything is possible.
Check out some footage below, courtesy of YouTube.
Image Courtesy of Instagram