24 November 2025, Denmark – The 2025 Union World Conference on Lung Health took place in Copenhagen from 18 to 21 November, bringing together researchers, clinicians, National TB Program managers, policymakers and operational partners from around the world. APOPO participated with a delegation led by Dr. Tefera B. Agizew, Head of APOPO’s TB Department, and […]
APOPO at The Union World Conference on Lung Health 2025 Read More »
When summer settled over Ukraine’s mine-affected farmland earlier this year, the fields shimmered with tall grasses and wildflowers, and heat rose from the soil in soft, wavering lines. From a distance the landscape felt gentle, almost idyllic. Up close, it told another story. Beneath the surface lay the explosive remnants of recent fighting — scattered
Ukraine Demining Dogs: Daryna and Khai’s Life-Saving Work Read More »
As the world changes, APOPO continues to evolve. From humanitarian demining and disease detection to new frontiers of scent detection, our work is rooted in innovation — and that spirit continues to guide us as we explore expanded applications for our HeroRATs. At the heart of this effort is our Innovation Department, based at the
Driving Innovation: Expanding the Potential of APOPO’s HeroRATs Read More »
At the APOPO HeroTREEs program in Tanzania, we are inspired by young people who are helping to restore degraded land and create greener futures. This season, Ruben van Voorst, a Bachelor’s student from Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands, joined the team to carry out his final-year research in International Forest
APOPO HeroTREEs Hosts Student Agroforestry Researcher Read More »
Saurimo, Lunda Sul Province, Angola — October 25, 2025 – From October 20–25th, APOPO joined fellow demining operators and national authorities in Saurimo, Lunda Sul Province, Angola, for a week of collaborative training and knowledge exchange organized by the Angolan National Mine Action Agency (ANAM). The event brought together key actors in Angola’s humanitarian demining
Building Capacity for a Mine-Free Angola Read More »
SIEM REAP, Cambodia, Oct. 22 (APOPO) — Twenty-four newly accredited mine detection rats have arrived safely in Cambodia after leaving APOPO’s training and breeding center in Morogoro, Tanzania, on Monday. The young recruits completed their journey today and will soon join APOPO’s operations in support of the country’s national demining program. All 24 HeroRATs arrived
24 New Mine Detection Rats Arrive in Cambodia Read More »
At APOPO, we believe that heroes come in all sizes. Some of the most remarkable ones happen to be rats. Our HeroRATs are trained to use their exceptional sense of smell to detect landmines and tuberculosis (TB), contributing to public health and safety in places where these challenges persist. But how does a small animal
The Making of a HeroRAT: From Tiny Pup to Life-saving Hero Read More »
Understanding the Species Behind APOPO’s HeroRATs At APOPO, our scent detection rats are affectionately known as HeroRATs, a name that reflects both their intelligence and their lifesaving work. But beyond the nickname lies an interesting scientific story — these extraordinary animals belong to a specific species, Cricetomys ansorgei, commonly known as either the African giant
What’s in a (Common) Name? Read More »
At APOPO, innovation has always been at the heart of our work. From the very beginning, training rats to safely detect landmines was itself an innovation, and more than 25 years later it remains a core focus of our mission. Today, APOPO continues to explore new ways our HeroRATs can save lives and protect the
Humans of APOPO: Alice, Head of Innovation Read More »