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herorats.bsky.social
APOPO
@herorats.bsky.social
For +25 years we have tackled landmines and tuberculosis around the world using trained African giant pouched rats and other scent-detection animals.
Not all innovation needs machines.
At APOPO, simple, low-tech solutions — like training HeroRATs to detect landmines & TB — are saving lives every day.
#APOPO #HeroRATs #Innovation #LowTech
November 7, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Reposted by APOPO
❗️🐀CALLING ALL STREAMERS & RAT FANS!!🐀❗️

YOU ARE INVITED TO SUPPORT LITERAL HERO RATS FOR THIS CHARITY EVENT! PLEASE COME JOIN US! 🐀

#rats #charity #apopo #streamers
November 4, 2025 at 7:06 PM
APOPO’s HeroDOGs are trained with patience, praise, and play — and they work safely.
They’re never put in danger: trained to detect explosives from a safe distance, then rewarded with toys, rest, and care from their handlers.
#HeroDOGs #APOPO #MineAction #AnimalWelfare
November 1, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Update from APOPO Tanzania:
Due to unrest in parts of Tanzania, our teams are staying safely at home.

All staff and animals are safe, and our HeroRATs are being well cared for. 💛
Thank you for your concern and support.
#APOPO #HeroRATs #Tanzania #SafetyFirst
October 31, 2025 at 12:43 PM
APOPO uses #clickertraining to teach #HeroRATs to associate the “click” sound with a food reward. This motivates them to perform tasks like detecting target scents. Their favorite treat? Mashed banana and avocado! 🐀🍌🥑

#positivereinforcement #scentdetection #animalheroes #remy
October 27, 2025 at 10:23 AM
"After the land was cleared of #landmines, I no longer felt scared to work in the fields. I don’t worry anymore. The training helped me grow more." bit.ly/4aqLhag

Salem's recovery was made possible by generous support from
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
October 24, 2025 at 5:28 PM
At APOPO, heroes come in all sizes — some are rats! Our #HeroRATs use their incredible sense of smell to detect landmines and tuberculosis, keeping communities safe.

Discover how these little heroes make a big impact → bit.ly/43rwNEH

#APOPO #AnimalHeroes #SavingLives
October 21, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Brick wall training helps our #HeroDOGs sharpen their sniffing precision and focus. The dogs search cavities in a brick wall that contain different scents and indicate the target odor by sitting and pointing their nose. This builds confidence and consistency. #APOPO #CanineHeroes
October 19, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Wearing protective gear is essential for #APOPO deminers clearing dangerous explosives — from reinforced helmets and full-face visors to body armor reaching the thighs. They start at sunrise to work in the cool, resting often to stay focused. #deminers #minedetection #savinglives
October 15, 2025 at 2:03 PM
At #APOPO, women are leading change, training animals that save lives and protect communities from hidden dangers. We’re proud to be part of GlobalGiving’s Gender Justice Storytelling Festival.

#InternationalDayoftheGirlChild #PoweredByWomen #GiveToWomenAndGirls
@globalgiving.bsky.social
October 11, 2025 at 2:57 PM
#APOPO recently joined UNDP and @minesadvisorygroup.bsky.social for a field visit with Ukraine’s State Emergency Service (SESU) to demonstrate how Technical Survey Dogs can support faster, safer #demining operations. 🇺🇦 Learn more: bit.ly/435CCHH

#MineAction #Ukraine #HeroDOGs #SavingLives
October 9, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Little heroes like Harris are learning to make a big impact in the fight against wildlife trafficking, using their super noses to detect illegal wildlife products. #APOPO #RatsToTheRescue #EndWildlifeCrime #ProtectBiodiversity #HeroRATs
October 8, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Every year, millions of #tuberculosis cases go undiagnosed.

APOPO’s #HeroRATs use their powerful sense of smell to detect TB faster, cheaper, and more effectively—while creating local jobs.

More cases found. More lives saved. 💙

#EndTB #TBDetection #GlobalHealth
October 5, 2025 at 5:22 PM
In #Tanzania, Devota and her family farm just one acre of land. Through APOPO’s Agroforestry training, she has learned new ways to care for her soil, plant trees, and diversify her crops.

Read her story: bit.ly/4o0kXt1

#HeroTREEs #Sustainability #APOPO #CommunityImpact
October 5, 2025 at 5:19 PM
From legacy giving and corporate partnerships to payroll donations and crypto or stock contributions, your support helps us continue our life-saving work with detection animals.

Tax-effective ways to give: bit.ly/45rla2k

#APOPO #TaxEffectiveGiving #CharityWithImpact
September 25, 2025 at 9:11 PM
The Government of #Japan has committed US$265,410 to support #APOPO's Mine Action program in Cuanza Sul Province of #Angola 🇦🇴 over the next year. This strengthens our ability to clear mines, educate communities, and help people reclaim land. bit.ly/3Isvy0D

#MineFree
September 22, 2025 at 2:04 PM
#APOPO is leading the world’s first Development Impact Bond for Mine Action with CIRD & UK FCDO transforming former minefields into rice fields.
We held our first #SyntropicAgroforestry training in #Cambodia, building #ClimateResilience + linking our work in Tanzania.
September 16, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Since late 2024, HeroRAT Tamasha has screened 13,000+ samples with 89% accuracy, helping identify 143 new TB patients — 115 this year alone! Each case means a life saved and a family protected.

#HeroRATs #EndTB #GlobalHealth #APOPO #TuberculosisDetection
September 7, 2025 at 6:00 PM
At #APOPO, we believe science should be for everyone. Proud that our work has been published in @sj4k.bsky.social !

It adapts our research into a format that teachers and kids can explore in classrooms: bit.ly/45WP0ur

#APOPO #tuberculosis #ScienceForKids #SavingLives
August 29, 2025 at 3:22 PM
#APOPO is hiring! Join us to explore how gaming can drive real-world change. Help connect with partners, create collaborations (charity streams, in-game events, sponsorships), and grow our presence in the gaming world.

apopo.org/gaming-partn...

#GamingForGood #SocialImpact
August 22, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Just €9 / $9 provides a whole heap of bananas to fuel our little heroes!

apopo.org/herogifts/ba...

#HeroRATs #rats #clickertraining #positivereinforcement #tinybutmighty
August 18, 2025 at 11:28 AM
#HeroRATs are African giant pouched rats (Cricetomys ansorgei). They weigh between 1 - 1.5 kg (2.2 – 3.3 lbs). We weigh them every morning before training to make sure they are growing well, are fit & healthy. bit.ly/3BEEE2L

#APOPO #workingrats #animalwelfare #health
August 11, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Wear hope. For a limited time – up to 40% off! ✨

Support APOPO’s life-saving mission. Every t-shirt sold helps train our #animals to detect landmines and protect communities.

Shop these clearance items in our US store now: shop.apopo.org/last-chance-...

#HeroRATs #APOPO #WearToCare #SaveLives
August 2, 2025 at 10:05 PM
#APOPO is committed to using our expertise to help solve some of the world's most dangerous challenges, such as quickly removing landmines hidden decades ago, and returning safe land to local communities.

#MineAction #ScentDetection #MineFreeWorld #HeroRATs#HeroDOGs #SavingLives
July 30, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Thank you to all who've reached out in concern & solidarity. Due to escalating conflict near the Cambodia–Thailand border, #APOPO has suspended operations in the area & safely evacuated all staff + animals for now. Our thoughts are with the communities affected by this conflict.
July 26, 2025 at 12:47 PM