Mine-sniffing rats to the rescue in Mozambique

Demining in Mozambique will soon get a boost with the arrival of more specially trained rats, local reports said on Thursday.

Radio Mozambique said the international demining company Apopo will soon receive an additional 15 demining rats to add to its current furry workforce of 25.

The rodents are used to sniff out mines—an unfortunate legacy of Mozambique’s civil war—in the southern province of Inhambane.

Sam Macloud, spokesperson for Apopo, said Inhambane is one of the most heavily mined provinces in the country. “We want to have these areas cleared so that they can be used by the local population [to] build their houses or [for] agricultural activities.”

Demining started in 1994 but the nation’s national demining agency has said it is doubtful Mozambique will achieve the United Nations goal of having a landmine-free society by 2015.—Sapa