SWSCrats - by Sarah Ward<br /><br />Rats are being trained to be sent into earthquake debris wearing tiny backpacks - so rescue teams can talk to survivors.<br /><br />The innovative project is being worked on by research scientist Dr Donna Kean, 33, from Glasgow.<br /><br />So far seven rats have been trained, taking only two weeks to get them up to speed.<br /><br />At the moment homemade prototype backpacks containing a microphone are being used, and scientists are sending them into mock debris.<br /><br />Specialist backpacks containing microphones and video gear as well as location trackers will be created to allow rescue teams to communicate with survivors during real earthquakes.<br /><br />Donna has been based in Morogoro, Tanzania, East Africa, for one year, working with non-profit organisation APOPO for a project named Hero Rats.<br /><br />The rodents will get the chance to work in the field when they are sent to Turkey, which is prone to earthquakes, to work with a search and rescue team, GAE.<br /><br />Donna, who studied ecology at Strathclyde University before going on to do an MA at the University of Kent and a PhD at Stirling University, originally was interested in primate behaviour.<br /><br />But she was fascinated by how quickly rats can learn and be trained, and said it is a misconception that they are unhygienic.<br /><br />She described them as "sociable" creatures, and believes the work being done will save lives.<br /><br />Altogether 170 rats are being trained for projects including landmines and TB and it is hoped rats could sniff out Brucellosis, an infectious disease which impacts livestock.<br /><br />The rats are so nimble that they have never set off a landmine and their agility makes them perfect for using in disaster zones.<br /><br />Donna said: "Rats would be able to get into small spaces to get to victims buried in rubble.<br /><br />"We have not been in a real situation yet, we have got a mock debris site.<br /><br />"When we get the new backpacks we will be able to hear from where we are based and where the rat is, inside the debris.<br /><br />"We have the potential to speak to victims through the rat."<br /><br />The rodents are trained to respond to a beep, which calls them back to the base.<br /><br />Donna added: "A colleague is a seamstress, she makes the backpacks, she's very talented.<br /><br />"We are getting custom-made backpacks which will have video recorders, microphones and a location transmitter.<br /><br />"It's quite unusual.<br /><br />"They are so agile, they are so good at moving through all kinds of different environments.<br /><br />"They are perfect for search and rescue-type work.<br /><br />"They can live off anything.<br /><br />"They are very good at surviving in different environments which just shows how suitable they are for search and rescue work."<br /><br />Dogs have been used for similar purposes but rats have an advantage due to their small size and flexibility.<br /><br />Donna added: "They are very trainable, the first stage is to train them to come back to base point - they respond to a beep.<br /><br />"There is a misconception they are dirty and unhygienic,<br /><br />"They are well looked after with us, they are sociable animals.<br /><br />"We hope
