Fact of the Day: 06/12/2022

Rats are normally seen as pests that we don’t want in our homes, but did you know that they  may be the future of rescue missions? Recently, scientists have discovered that rats, wearing a special type of backpack, can be used to locate people trapped during an earthquake. According to CNN.com, “They must first locate the target person in an empty room, pull a switch on their vest that triggers a beeper, and then return to base, where they are rewarded with a treat” (par. 6). There is also a camera on the vest that allows other rescuers to see where the rat is and what is going on. Rats are perfect for the job since they are small in size and have a good sense of smell (par. 5). Testing for this type of rescue only started in April of 2021 (par. 10), but if everything goes well, rats will soon be saving lives. 

Reference(s): https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/24/world/search-and-rescue-rats-apopo-hnk-spc-intl/index.html 

Fact Author: Bailey W.

Fact Editor: Ace

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