Hero Rats Project: UK Researchers Train Rats with Backpacks to Sneak Into Earthquake Debris During Natural Calamities

Rats are currently being trained to be dispatched to earthquake debris in the future as part of a research and training conducted by scientists in the UK.

The rodents are wearing tiny homemade prototype backpacks with a microphone inside to allow rescuers from the outside talk to survivors trapped under the rubble.

Earthquake Rats

(Photo : Sanjay Kanojia/AFP via Getty Images)

The project called "Hero Rats" is spearheaded by 33-year-old research scientist from Glasgow Dr. Donna Kean, stating there is already a possibility that they can speak to victims through the rodents, as cited by The London Economic.

The "earthquake rats" are being trained through a mock earthquake debris as of Saturday, June 4.

So far, the project has trained seven rats already in a span of two weeks.

Contact with potential earthquake survivors are made possible sine the so-called communication backpacks also has a video gear and location trackers guided by global position system (GPS).

The rodents can also be sent in the field in the earthquake-prone country of Turkey where the animals can work with search and rescue teams.

Dr. Kean was based in Tanzania where she worked with APOPO, a non-profit organization under the Hero Rats project.

Also Read: Ancient Rats May Have Eaten Dinosaurs, Scientists Say

Earthquake Debris

Earthquake debris are fragmented parts of buildings materials, personal property, and rock sediments from landslides, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA).

This is caused by shock waves generated by earthquakes and the displacement of the ground along fault lines.

The US environmental agency underlines the primary damage from the seismic forces that causes the destruction of buildings, bridges, and other structures in the area relative to the epicenter of the earthquake.

On the other hand, the US EPA highlights secondary damage from explosions, fires, and flooding due to broken water pipes.

In Los Angeles, the so-called 1994 Northridge earthquake resulted in a massive earthquake debris, weighing up to 3 million tons across the city of Northridge.

It came after a 6.7 magnitude earthquake brought down a number of establishments and infrastructure, costing damage worth billions of US dollars.

The quake killed dozens of people and injured thousands.

The identification of the number of casualties grew, especially after city officials further conducted the debris removal process for several months.

Earthquake Survival

Being trapped under earthquake debris can be challenging since access to food and water will be close to none during the duration of the ordeal.

While a person can survive longer with water under normal circumstances, it is different from being stuck with concrete or rocks above.

In 2010, a man survived under the rubble for 14 days following a catastrophic earthquake in Haiti.

The man purportedly managed to stay hydrated after finding a jug containing 2 gallons of water amid the debris, according to NBC News.

Post-earthquake efforts are centered on searching and retrieving potential survivors.

However, communication between emergency personnel and trapped individuals are generally limited.

With the unprecedented emergence earthquake debris-trained rats, the chance of survival might potentially increase.

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