APOPO Deploys RescueRATs with Specialized Backpacks for Earthquake Victim Location in Turkey
A new disaster-response project launched in Antalya, Turkey, in January 2026, is set to deploy trained African giant pouched rats, known as ‘RescueRATs,’ to help locate survivors in earthquake-stricken areas. These specialized rats, trained by the Belgian non-profit organization APOPO, wear custom-designed, lightweight backpacks equipped with cameras, microphones, and location transmitters. The technology allows real-time communication and tracking by rescue teams, aiming to complement human rescuers by accessing spaces otherwise inaccessible.
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