Posted on 10/24/2022 6:25:00 PM PDT by BenLurkin
The project from APOPO, a Belgian non-profit that trains animals to save lives, is fitting rats with small specialized backpacks to help emergency crews search for survivors in the event of building collapses.
According to researchers on the project, their small size and excellent smell of the rodents, plus their adventures spirit makes them the perfect animal to help in such disasters.
“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, per CNN.
The rats aren’t ready to be deployed into collapsed buildings just yet, but they’re currently being trained in a simulator disaster area, during 15-minute sessions five days a week, going through the motions of a real rescue.
The rodent’s backpacks are fashioned with a video camera, but scientists are hoping to make it “as small as possible” without losing any functionality, and also include a two-way microphone and location transmitter to help locate survivors and communicate with people.
The backpacks are being developed by APOPO in a collaboration with Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands, with the backpack technology being developed by electrical engineer Sander Verdiesen.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
Hero rat in Cambodia dies:
https://youtu.be/whuyuGphaKs
I guess it’s better than burning down cities like they usually do.
My wish is for dogs like the Newfoundland to some day be miniaturized so I can have one in my small home.
Weave me a cone yoo cupid bat.
But, the rats will have plenty of Bill Gates bug burgers in those back packs. Enough to carry one through until rescued.
OK. I’m in love.
We’ve got a mini Golden Doodle, first generation from poodle and golden retriever parents. He is smart as a whip, sociable, highly protective, very cuddly, attached to his people, easy to train, eager to please (usually), and energetic. I can’t recommend that hybrid enough. I was reading about the characteristics of the Newfiepoo and they sound very similar to our Golden Doodle.
A friend had a Golden Doodle and I fell madly for it. We have a very smart Havanese, and an extremely stupid, but totally lovable, Bichon. He’s 6 years old and STILL not housebroken. Thank goodness for diapers. The Havanese, like us, is a TV fan, particularly fond of movies with horses and dogs. When we’re giving him a really good reward, he gets to watch K9 Cop.
Rory’s World - Joseph Blanchard - Catnip Caper
https://youtu.be/7XHQVw-hWx8
“When we’re giving him a really good reward, he gets to watch K9 Cop.”
LOL...I’ll have to try that for our few behavioral problems.
Our last pooch was a Bichon and he was a good guy. When he passed, my wife was absolutely devastated. I was surprised that she wanted a new pup only a couple months after he passed, but it’s worked out really well.
I always wanted to visit Belgium but one of their laws keeps me out. Do something interesting there and it’s the death penalty. It’s the only one in Europe.
That’s one cute dog!
But these arent your average dirty smelly rodents, these smell excellent. What more could you want?
My deepest sympathies on your loss. My husband keeps the dog ashes in the hallway. Mixed feelings. Miss each and every dear heart that passed through our lives.
Q: What wears a hat, has webbed feet, and stamps out forest fires?
A: Smokey The Duck.
Q: Why do elephants have flat feet?
A: To stamp out burning ducks.
No kidding
Ba da boom
Yeah but there was a huge quake that rattled you….biggest in US history
Of course it was in 1811 but the scientists say it could happen again. Sleep well
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-great-midwest-earthquake-of-1811-46342/
I have family living in St. Louis and am waiting for the New Madrid fault to explode. I’ve read we in KC will definitely feel it.
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