apopo_tess

Absolutely they do! In fact, we've never lost a single HeroRAT during our landmine detection activities. They operate under strict safety conditions and are simply too light to trigger landmines. Animal welfare is a top priority for us and we treat the our rats like the heroes they are.

They're happy and healthy with us! Tonight we'll lay on a big feast for them - http://imgur.com/gallery/feIKG

APOPO remains in the country with a small team to continue providing technical expertise and capacity for any residual clearance and or remaining former ammunitions depot exploded few years back and left thousands of ammunition spread over 600 hectare area. The remaining capacity of APOPO will be deployed to neighboring Zimbabwe to help Zimbabwe clear all its known landmines. Then on to the next one, and the next one, until they're all gone!

Hey there! Thanks for your question :)

Take a look at this gallery and ask yourself if we get attached?! (We do!) - https://www.flickr.com/photos/herorats/albums/72157646696705425

The HeroRATs are brilliant and it is hard not to form a special bond with them.

In the interests of animal welfare none of the rats are kept as pets. When they retire we want to provide the very best care and experience possible so they stay with us and their friends and family. They receive weekly vet checks, a wide array of exciting foods, access to a play area, a cosy home to snuggle up in, plus, mandatory daily petting from our staff and visitors!

We haven't, at least not yet. You can't be too careful around ticking clocks, you never know!