The project is mainly to train the specially bred rats to detect the metal materials used in landmines. The rats are first taught to identify voice commands and recognize the special smell of the metals used in landmines, then they will work in outdoor areas. To ensure that the training is thorough enough for outdoor operations, government scientists have already bred five generations of rats. During the lab training process, baby rats follow their mother rats through a plastic maze, where mother rats teach baby rats how to look for dead ends containing metals and wires used in landmines.
Government officials in charge of the outdoor rat training said that they hope this generation of rats can participate in real environment demining tests at the beginning of next year. In the first half of 2011, landmines in Colombia had caused 40 deaths and 247 injuries. In 2010, there were 535 casualties due to landmines.
Colombian scientists are conducting an experiment using rats to detect landmines, in order to dismantle the large number of landmines left over from the decades-long conflict between the Colombian government and guerrillas. These rats have highly developed sense of smell like dogs, but they are light in weight, making it less likely for them to trigger landmines. This experiment is part of a government project that started in 2006 and is now in its final stage.