Training costs about 10 million won, but it is cheaper than testing equipment such as X-rays and CTs.
The media said that trained African giant opossums achieved excellent results in two experiments conducted at the port of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city, and that they are preparing to expand their scope of activity to warehouses and terminals.
The FT also predicted that the African giant opossum’s role will become more diverse in the future, including detecting various threats ranging from tuberculosis pathogens to landmines.
Previously, scientists worked with a Tanzania-based animal training non-profit organization to train African giant opossums using their favorite food.
Scientists who participated in the training explained that African giant opossums were trained to detect illegally trafficked wild animals even if they were hidden in other substances.
He then argued that the biggest advantages of the African giant opossum are ▲relatively short training time ▲flexible work with a variety of trainers ▲cost efficiency.
The cost of training an African giant opossum, which is about 1 meter long from nose to tail when fully grown, is $7,000 to $8,000 (approximately 9.5 to 11 million won) per animal. However, scientists said it is much cheaper than electronic examination equipment such as X-rays or CT scans.
Scientists also reported that African giant opossums were trained to distinguish between specific scents and to ignore other scents, and were as good as dogs at remembering scents.
The rats are also trained to use custom-made vests to identify contraband and then use their front paws to pull on a ball attached to the clothing to set off a sonic alarm.
The African giant opossums that participated in this training were given unique names. The names include Kirsty, Marty, Irwin, Betty, Teddy, Ebony, Desmond, Thoreau, and Posey, named after environmentalists and anti-wildlife trafficking activists.
Meanwhile, a paper covering the results of this training was also published in the international academic journal ‘Frontiers in Conservation Science’.
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Hot news now
Interview: The Remarkable Role of African Giant Opossums in Detection
Time.news Editor: Welcome to our segment today, where we’ll be diving into a unique and fascinating topic: the innovative use of African giant opossums in detection efforts. Joining us is Dr. Emily Carter, a wildlife biologist and conservationist who has been at the forefront of this research. Thank you for being here, Dr. Carter!
Dr. Emily Carter: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss this exciting work with you.
Editor: Let’s start with the basics: what makes the African giant opossum such an effective tool for detection?
Dr. Carter: Great question! The African giant opossum is incredibly adept at using its sense of smell. They can distinguish between various scents and ignore distractions, which makes them perfect for tasks like detecting illegally trafficked wildlife or even landmines. They are as good at remembering scents as dogs, but they require less intensive training.
Editor: Speaking of training, I read that it costs approximately 10 million won, or about $7,000 to $8,000 per opossum. How does that compare to traditional detection methods?
Dr. Carter: That’s correct! The training is indeed much cheaper than employing electronic detection methods like X-rays or CT scans. When you consider the costs and the effectiveness, especially in environments where electronic equipment might not be available or practical, these opossums present an economically viable option.
Editor: Interesting! Can you give us some examples of their work in the field?
Dr. Carter: Absolutely! Recently, trained opossums have demonstrated their abilities at the port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. They were involved in experiments that showed their proficiency in identifying hidden threats, such as trafficked wildlife. The success of those trials has led to considering broader applications, such as inspections in warehouses and terminals.
Editor: What about their training? You mentioned that it involves positive reinforcement. How does that process work?
Dr. Carter: The training process is quite engaging! We use their favorite foods as motivation. The opossums are trained to pull on balls attached to vests when they identify contraband. This not only reinforces their detection abilities but also ensures they associate the task with something rewarding.
Editor: I love the creative approach to training! Is there a growing interest in utilizing these animals for other detection tasks in the future?
Dr. Carter: Definitely! The potential for the African giant opossum to detect various threats is quite broad. We are looking into training them for additional roles, such as identifying tuberculosis pathogens. Their capability could alleviate some of the strain on traditional detection systems, especially in resource-limited settings.
Editor: And the opossums even have unique names tied to environmentalists and wildlife activists! That’s quite endearing.
Dr. Carter: Yes! Each opossum is given a name that honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the environment and conservation. It’s a way of connecting their work to a larger cause and raising awareness about wildlife trafficking issues.
Editor: Lastly, Dr. Carter, why is this research significant from a conservation perspective?
Dr. Carter: This research is crucial because it presents an innovative, cost-effective means of combating wildlife trafficking and protecting biodiversity. By utilizing animals like the African giant opossum, we can create sustainable strategies that complement existing measures and extend our reach in conservation efforts.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Carter, for sharing your insights on this fascinating topic. The future does indeed look promising for our furry allies in detection!
Dr. Carter: Thank you for having me! I look forward to seeing how we can continue to innovate in conservation.