APOPO News

Rat handler Hajera working to find tuberculosis with HeroRAT Majaliwa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

New Study Confirms HeroRATs Boost TB Detection by 48% — Outperforming Even Advanced Diagnostics

Dar es Salaam, April 29, 2025 — In a breakthrough blending science and social innovation, APOPO’s trained African giant pouched rats — affectionately called HeroRATs — have been shown to significantly improve tuberculosis (TB) case detection, even at clinics already using the sophisticated Xpert MTB/RIF diagnostic test. Published in PLOS ONE, the study affirms the […]

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APOPO Technical Survey Dogs at work in Ukraine

Dogs on the Frontlines: APOPO’s Expanding Role in Ukraine’s Demining Efforts

Kyiv, 23 April, 2025 – Across Ukraine, explosive remnants of war (ERW) and landmines continue to pose a silent but deadly threat to civilians, farmers, and displaced families. These hidden dangers not only take lives but prevent people from returning home, farming their land, or rebuilding schools and communities. The scale of contamination is immense,

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APOPO's Information Systems Manger Morgan Kline presents APOPO's IMS at NDM-UN28 © GICHD/Antoine Tardy

APOPO Showcases Innovation and Partnership at NDM-UN28

13 April 2025, Geneva — APOPO proudly took part in the 28th Meeting of National Mine Action Programme Directors and United Nations Advisers (NDM-UN28), held from April 9–11, 2025, in Geneva — the most significant annual event in the global mine action calendar. The meeting brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including national authorities, international

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APOPO US Director Charlie Richter speaking about APOPO to Senator Brian Mast at US Congressional event on Humanitarian demining

APOPO Showcases HeroRATs and Innovative Demining at U.S. Congressional Event

On April 7, 2025, APOPO was proud to participate in the Congressional Unexploded Ordnance/Demining Caucus’s exhibition and reception in honor of International Mine Awareness Day. Held at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C., the event spotlighted global efforts to eliminate landmines and highlighted the vital role the United States plays in supporting humanitarian

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APOPO Mine Action Cambodia Dog and handler training

Technical Survey Dog Accreditation Supports APOPO’s Operations in Cambodia

In April 2025, twelve of APOPO’s Technical Survey Dogs (TSDs) successfully completed national accreditation in Kampong Chhnang, Cambodia, adding to APOPO’s capacity to safely and efficiently clear land contaminated by landmines and unexploded ordnance. The accreditation process is rigorous, requiring each dog-handler team to search four 10×10 meter boxes, with potential hidden explosive targets. Handlers

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APOPO HeroRAT Ronin works diligently on the minefield looking for explosives with his amazing sense of smell.

PRESS RELEASE: HeroRAT Ronin Breaks Guinness World Records® title

Preah Vihear Province, Cambodia – APOPO proudly announces that Ronin, an African giant pouched rat (Cricetomys ansorgei), has achieved the distinction of being the most successful Mine Detection Rat (MDR) in the organization’s history. His exceptional accomplishments have earned him the Guinness World Records title most landmines detected by a rat highlighting the critical role

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Cambodian and Tanzanian mine detection rat handlers holding Ronin, Preah Vihear

APOPO’s Unique Multi-method Approach to Mine Action

A Tailored Response for Safer Communities ​Landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) continue to pose severe humanitarian and economic challenges worldwide. According to the Mine Action Review in 2023 there were 5,241 recorded casualties from landmines and explosive remnants of war, including 1,431 deaths. The majority of victims were civilians, with children making up almost half

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HeroTREEs Trainer at the physical portian of a Syntropic Agroforestry training

A New Era of Regenerative Syntropic Agroforestry

The Syntropic Agroforestry Innovation Accelerator (SAIA), launched by HeroTREEs, is a transformative initiative that aims to make regenerative farming practices more accessible. By combining innovative demonstration projects with a growing community of practice, SAIA is set to revolutionize how syntropic agroforestry is understood and applied across Tanzania, Cambodia, and beyond. Syntropic agroforestry is a highly

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