Behavioural analysis and modification underpin APOPO's training process

APOPO is carrying out applied behavioural research towards optimizing both the training process and the performance of detection rats. These are affected by numerous parameters relating to aspects of learning, olfaction, odour stimulus, reinforcement schedules, and environmental influences amongst others.

Key research areas include the reduction of training times and the standardisation of the training process, starting from socialization of the juvenile rat through final accreditation as part of the detection system:

• Acquisition of the desired stimulus control on the target scent has also been one of the main challenges throughout the development of the detection systems. This has involved training through a large variety of background odours, while controlling for unwanted cues.
• Research has also been conducted into the sensitivity of the detection rats on various stimuli of interest. This remains an enormous challenge as their sensitivity is often beyond that of the analytical equipment used for confirmation. Extreme control is required over the presentation and composition of the target scent, which is often not a single substance but rather a "bouquet".
• In order to enhance learning speed, while maintaining the desired search behaviour, during operations where the search targets are unknown to the trainer, appropriate reinforcement schedules have to be implemented at each training stage.

For the Mine Detection Rats, variations were observed depending on mine type, search pattern, search speed, vegetation and climate. These influence the decisions to be made on when, how, and under which conditions the animals should be trained and used in operations.