An army of giant rats saves lives...by John Converse Townsend.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

It takes a true visionary to see a Buddhist monk deploying a pack of giant rats as the solution to the devastating danger posed by landmines.

Every few hours, another person is killed or maimed by a landmine. Even in areas removed from active conflict, landmines are more than just distressing reminders of former bloodshed -- they're hidden hazards that terrorize populations and freeze development.

Identifying, unearthing and disarming these explosives is dangerous and daunting. Despite record clearances, more countries deployed anti-personnel mines last year than in any year since 2004.

But one social innovator has risen to the challenge -- with the help of a few hundred friends. The innovator is the industrial engineer, Buddhist monk and Ashoka Fellow Bart Weetjens.

His hundreds of friends are sub-Saharan Africa's giant pouched rats. About three feet long and armed with a powerful sense of smell, these rats might just be humanity's best hope for moving forward with confidence.

The rest at the link:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-converse-townsend/an-army-of-giant-rats-une_b_1129358.html

[marmar]

1. That was fascinating.

Not that I'd want to see one up close.....

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Hey, I hear ya!

But if I lived where there were land mines, I wouldn't mind!

[RebelOne]

3. Oh, pleeze. I just had a pest control man

trap and kill 15 rats in my house. I would not want to see an army of them.

[Still Blue in PDX]

4. I'd want them on my side, though, if I HAD TO see them. nt

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. So.....you'd rather live with land mines? I doubt it.

And I am kidding.

Nonetheless, these are not ordinary house rats.

And they are obviously doing an important job.

[Lionel Mandrake]

5. Here's a picture of a giant pouched rat.

You won't find these in your local pet store.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. They're smaller than I expected.

But their size works in their favor, since they don't trip the land mind.

Thanks for the picture!

[Liberal_in_LA]

10. big!

[uppityperson]

8. ROUS's? Interesting, thank you.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

9. What's a ROUS?

Ya got me there!

[uppityperson]

11. Rodents of Unusual Size

Have you ever seen the movie Princess Bride? If not, you should.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=R.O.U.S.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

12. No, I've never seen it...

Thanks for the tip, and the link!

[laxpadre]

13. An army of giant rats saves lives...by John Converse Townsend.

Wow very big rat. But I think that rat is different from the small ones who will always damaged foods, clothes and anything. Good thing this rat able to save lives. But still I am afraid of rats even they are cute and big because still they are rats...

[hrmjustin]

14. Welcome to DU my friend!