The Animal Engineers

http://funster.us/2009/12/the-animals-engineers/ ^

[tired1]

Unexploded mines are still a serious problem throughout the world. Moreover, the clearance is very dangerous and costly. But Bart Weegens, from Belgium found a solution – a trained opossum. On the taming of the animal takes about a year. Using the operating time of Pavlov, the rats develop a stable relationship smell of explosives and rewards – of bananas and peanuts.

[tired1]

Interesting concept to work landmine problem.

[oyez]

PETA is going to have a hissey over this kind of stuff.

[freedumb2003]

I am sorry, but I can picture this wagonload of possums and some guy tossing them out in front of him.

Plunk! — clear!
Plunk! — clear!
BLAM! — clear now!

[samtheman]

Interesting pictures.

[MuttTheHoople]

I’ve heard about training rats to do the same thing. they’re small enough to not trigger a pressure mine, plus they are trainable. The only downside is they only live about 2-3 years, so it might not be practical to train them.

[Ken522]

The critters look like rats, not possums ...

[Redcitizen]

Plunk! — click! (No detonation) “Hey! This mine is playing possum!

[freedumb2003]

>>Plunk! — click! (No detonation) “Hey! This mine is playing possum!<<

bada-bing, bada boom (or I guess bada BOOM!)

[Redcitizen]

I always have a blast with puns. =) bada BOOM indeed.

[green pastures]

I was thinking the same thing. And it looks semi-cute and friendly compared to the much dreaded possums around our place.

[Lady Jag]

They do look different than the ones we have in the northeast. This is an especially fat one seen in these parts: