In a strange development, scientists are training rats to rescue humans trapped during earthquakes.
According to news week, the innovative project is being worked on by research scientist Dr Donna Kean from Glasgow, Scotland. The rodents are trained to be sent to the earthquake debris with small backpacks equipped with microphones so rescue teams can talk to survivors.
I train these clever creatures to rescue victims trapped in collapsed buildings after earthquakes. We equip them with a rat backpack and train them to activate a switch when they find a victim and come back for a tasty treat ?#herosnotpests#science#weirdjobs#WomenInSTEMpic.twitter.com/728IQv70NX
— Dr. Donna Kean (@donnaeilidhkean) May 26, 2022
So far, about seven rats have been trained to respond to beeps. At the moment, homemade prototype backpacks with a microphone are being used and scientists are sending the rodents to fake rubble. Special backpacks will also be made with microphones and video equipment and location trackers so that rescue teams can communicate with survivors during real earthquakes.
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news week reported that Dr. Kean has been working for the non-profit organization in Morogoro, Tanzania for a year APOPO for a project called “Hero Rats”.
The 33-year-old scientist studied ecology at Strathclyde University and also holds a PhD from Stirling University. She was fascinated by how quickly rats can learn and be trained, and said it is a misconception that they are unsanitary. dr. Kean described the rodents as “social” creatures and said she believes the work being done will save lives.
“Rats could get into small spaces to get to the victims buried in the rubble. We haven’t been in a real situation yet, we have a fake debris site. When we have the new backpacks we will be able to hear from where we are located and where the rat is, in the rubble. We have the potential to talk to victims through the rat,” Dr. Kean quoted by news week†
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She revealed that a total of 170 rats are being trained and that they will be sent to earthquake-prone Turkey to work with a search and rescue team.