“African Rats” Join Rescue Missions in Turkey.. Innovative Technology to Reach Those Trapped Under Rubble

Turkey has begun implementing an innovative experiment in search and rescue operations that relies on trained rats equipped with cameras and location devices, aimed at facilitating access to those trapped under rubble in cases of earthquakes and natural disasters, following the harsh experience the country faced after the earthquake in February 2023.

Advanced Techniques to Enhance Chances of Finding Survivors

The project is based on training special rats to distinguish the scent of humans, as they are provided with a small bag containing a camera, a location system, and a two-way communication device, allowing rescue teams to receive direct information about the presence of survivors and their locations within the debris.

African Rats with Exceptional Abilities

The authorities overseeing the project have named these animals "hero rats," which have been brought from Tanzania and are currently undergoing intensive training programs in rubble sites that simulate disaster conditions in Antalya province in southern Turkey. Reports indicate that the field use of these rats will begin after completing training phases and obtaining official approvals.

Ability to Access Tight and Complex Areas

The project relies on the natural abilities of these African rats, which are slightly larger than regular rats, enabling them to carry imaging equipment, in addition to their ability to navigate through tight spaces that are difficult for humans or even robots to reach.

Capability to Return and Reuse in Emergency Missions

The trained rats also feature the ability to return to the starting point after completing the mission, allowing them to be reused in multiple rescue operations during large-scale disasters that strike several areas simultaneously.

Enhancing Rescue Tools Alongside Dogs and Robots

Turkish rescue teams relied on trained dogs and robotic systems to search for survivors during the 2023 earthquake, and it is expected that the trained rats will serve as an additional tool to enhance the efficiency of search operations, especially in complex sites that hinder quick access to those trapped.

A Humanitarian Disaster That Prompted Innovation

The 2023 earthquake resulted in around 55,000 deaths and more than 100,000 injuries, while some survivors remained trapped under the rubble for long days, exceeding a full week for some, which prompted the authorities to develop faster and more accurate rescue means to face future disasters.