Antalya, Türkiye, 20 June, 2025: APOPO’s Search and Rescue project reached a milestone this week as six trained RescueRATs have successfully relocated from Tanzania to Turkey. This marks the start of a new chapter in APOPO’s mission to support disaster response efforts and save lives in earthquake-prone areas.
The relocation is the result of over three years of research, training, and collaboration. The RescueRATs undertook a long and carefully planned journey from our training headquarters in Morogoro, Tanzania, to their new home in Antalya, Turkey. Thanks to the tireless work of the APOPO teams in Turkey and Morogoro and our valued partner, GEA Search and Rescue Association, all rats arrived safe, happy, and healthy.
“It was a long journey across both countries, and relocating rats into a new country is no small task, but all rats arrived happy and healthy, thanks to the combined efforts of the APOPO-Turkey and Morogoro teams and our partners at GEA,” said Dr. Danielle Giangrasso, Programme Lead of the Search and Rescue Project.
What Makes RescueRATs Special?
APOPO’s RescueRATs project is a late-stage research initiative that harnesses the remarkable abilities of African giant pouched rats (Cricetomys ansorgei) to assist in locating survivors trapped beneath rubble after disasters such as earthquakes. These intelligent and agile animals are small enough to access areas that are inaccessible or too dangerous for human rescuers or search dogs.
The rats are trained to wear specially designed backpacks fitted with tiny two-way microphones, cameras, and location trackers. In simulated disaster scenarios, they have demonstrated the ability to navigate debris, locate survivors, and help guide rescue teams to where they are most needed.
The recent move of the RescueRATs to Turkey represents a crucial next step in the project. It allows APOPO to test and refine this promising search-and-rescue tool in more realistic disaster environments, working alongside professional response teams in a region prone to earthquakes. This move brings the project closer to real-world deployment, where it could one day help save lives in actual emergencies.
Why Turkey?
Turkey is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world. The RescueRATs will now play a key role in strengthening the country’s disaster preparedness and response. Their arrival follows extensive groundwork by Dr. Danielle Giangrasso, who moved to Turkey last year to lay the foundations for the program and ensure a smooth integration of the rats into local search and rescue operations. Additionally, Venance Kiria, Junior Research Fellow, from Tanzania also relocated to Antalya at the start of June.
A Strong Partnership
This important mission would not be possible without our partnership with GEA Search and Rescue Association, a respected Turkish volunteer-based organization with decades of disaster response experience. Together, APOPO and GEA are bringing innovation to urban search and rescue through animal detection technology, working to save lives where it matters most.
What’s Next for the RescueRATs?
The rats are now acclimating to their new surroundings in Turkey and will soon begin field exercises and integration into GEA’s search teams. These preparatory steps will ensure they are ready to respond when disaster strikes and when they are fully prepared to act in real world scenarios.
We extend our deepest thanks to Postkodlotteriets Stiftelse (the Swedish Postcode Lottery Foundation), The Karakin Foundation, Alpha & Omega Foundation, the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery and the Elevate Prize for their ongoing support of this life-saving work. Their generosity helps make breakthroughs like this possible.
Stay tuned as we continue to share updates on the progress of the RescueRATs in Turkey and their life-saving missions ahead.
APOPO’s Search & Rescue Project is made possible by our generous donors and partners
