The Limpopo basecamp. A weather station permanently registers
weather conditions. Climatic information is crucial in the
assessment of animal's performances.
The limpopo field office. Working with mine detection rats
involves continuous internal evaluation.
Lower leg guards are a standard feature in the APOPO protective
outfit.
The harnessed rat is leashed to a spring, which glides over
a string connecting the lower legs of trainer and handler. This
string is called a search line. The animal is restricted to
move along the search line, allowing a systematic search of
the area, lane by lane. Both operators have a lead to control
the movement of the animal.
Rats can handle steeps and difficult terrain. The trainer
has the ability to manipulate the search line with the lower
leg, allowing access to difficult corners.
the rat gets rewarded by its trainer, subsequent to a mine
indication.
The observer keeps records of mine indications, changing weather
parameters and a wide range of behavioral aspects.
Access lane to the suspected area in the Limpopo corridor.
Rats are fond of their trainers. Freely roaming, they follow
their trainers unleashed.
