HeroRATs Clear Landmines
December 13, 2009 9:38 AM   Subscribe

Unexploded landmines still remain a huge problem the world over. What is more, landmine clearance is an expensive business. One man has found a potential solution, however. All hail the HeroRAT.
posted by pashdown (22 comments total) 10 users marked this as a favorite
 
Different link here, but HeroRats have appeared previously on MeFi (2007). Nice to see an update, though.
posted by Decimask at 9:43 AM on December 13, 2009


Am I the only one who immediately thought of Unexploded Cow?
posted by Mister Moofoo at 9:57 AM on December 13, 2009


I was about to feel very conflicted over this until I RTFA'd and realized that the rats aren't used to set off the mines, just locate them. Go rats!
posted by griphus at 10:01 AM on December 13, 2009 [3 favorites]


Also previously (not landmine-related).
posted by gubo at 10:01 AM on December 13, 2009


I sponsor a rat, and they send you monthly photo updates of your rat's progress. It's a lot of fun!
posted by a womble is an active kind of sloth at 10:10 AM on December 13, 2009 [5 favorites]


a womble is an active kind of sloth: "I sponsor a rat, and they send you monthly photo updates of your rat's progress. It's a lot of fun!
"

What
posted by boo_radley at 10:17 AM on December 13, 2009


I originally thought this was a questionable idea due to the rather short lifespan of rats - only two or three years, and sometimes shorter. However, apparently the giant pouched rat they use for this project has a longer lifespan than common pet rats, up to seven years or so.
posted by Mitrovarr at 10:18 AM on December 13, 2009


I like how they basically just teach the rats two things and it still takes a long time. These rodents are not that smart but they don't really need to be.
posted by Authorized User at 10:21 AM on December 13, 2009


Adopt a HeroRat here.
posted by a womble is an active kind of sloth at 10:31 AM on December 13, 2009 [4 favorites]


And they detect TB too! Wow! Let's see about adopting one of these critters...

Okay... so we can choose from Allan, Kim, Tyson, and... Chosen One??

Finally, an eco-friendly and cost-effective solution to the persistently troubling problem of super-mutant detection.
posted by ScotchRox at 10:43 AM on December 13, 2009


Awesome gift :)
posted by jckll at 10:46 AM on December 13, 2009


A concern of mine was that they were spending quite a bit of time on documenting each rat, and sending rat-written notes, etc. However, (and I don't want to spoil the delightful illusion) it appears that they have a few poster-rats who are used for their promotion, and lots of people 'sponsor' those. Which is completely fine with me - I think it is a great organization and I'm glad they put their resources to good use rather than satisfying my serendipitous desires.

(I was dabbling with the idea of sending my rat a toy banjo but thought better of it).
posted by a womble is an active kind of sloth at 10:48 AM on December 13, 2009 [3 favorites]


(Movie Announcer Voice):

They were supposed to help humanity.

But at what cost? (Boom!)

"We can't keep doing this! Something has to change!"

"You're talking about terrorism!"

"We didn't make the bombs, why should we pay the price? Let them taste their own medicine!"

The Rats of NIMH 2: This time, it's explosive.
posted by yeloson at 10:59 AM on December 13, 2009 [5 favorites]


Socyberty? Not that I'm suspicious of anything in this article, but who is this source?

This article is cute (the pics of the rats with their little harnesses are great), and this seems like a good idea and cause. But who are Socyberty? The writing is pretty amateurish, and there doesn't appear to be any real organization or anything behind. Certainly not much editing going on - the articles are all over the place in subject matter.

Anyway, I wish these rats and their sponsors well. Landmine removal is a noble cause.
posted by dammitjim at 11:12 AM on December 13, 2009


Just waiting for PETA to tell us why this is inhumane.....but go Giant Pouched Rats!
posted by emjaybee at 11:12 AM on December 13, 2009


I'm going to adopt two and call them Tunnel Rat and Heavy Duty.
posted by Inspector.Gadget at 11:16 AM on December 13, 2009


dammitjim - Google APOPO instead. Socyberty looks like an amateur news/issues blog, but APOPO is pretty well documented elseweb.
posted by Slap*Happy at 11:21 AM on December 13, 2009


I'm sure they'll perform better than dowsing for landmines with the ADE651.
posted by jonesor at 11:25 AM on December 13, 2009


Socyberty looks like an amateur news/issues blog

Yeah, I got that. I was wondering about the choice as the single link for the FPP.
posted by dammitjim at 11:29 AM on December 13, 2009


I was hoping that someone had invented a precursor to the Rat Thing, but this is also pretty awesome. And they're furrier than Fido the Rat Thing. But probably not as good in a pinch, what with the running only subsonically.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 11:35 AM on December 13, 2009


> Yeah, I got that. I was wondering about the choice as the single link for the FPP.

My guess? Great photos.
posted by Decimask at 2:53 PM on December 13, 2009


Yay for R.O.U.S.
posted by Violet Hour at 10:46 PM on December 13, 2009 [1 favorite]


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