Bart Weetjens, Founder of APOPOThe idea of using rodents for mine detection was the outcome of an exploration and analysis of the mine detection problem. The Belgian Directorate for International Co-operation (DGIS) provided the initial financial support to develop the concept in November 1997. APOPO vzw was registered under the Belgian law as a non-commercial agency, and started its first research in early 1998.

APOPO caught wild African giant pouched rats in Tanzania, domesticated the species, bread them in captivity and tried out several training protocols with the offspring. In 1999, the promising results impelled the planned transfer of APOPO’s operational base to Africa. This would allow training and testing of the animals in near-to-real conditions.

Additionally, operating from Africa gave APOPO the unique position of being the first organization to offer a local solution to a global problem. Through providing employment, education and building unique local capacity, APOPO aims to empower the local community to put an end to landmine terror.

Click Here to Watch our Presentation on the History of APOPO During the first half of 2000, APOPO established its premises and training area at the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), in Morogoro, Tanzania. The choice of this location was a result of APOPO’s collaboration with the Department of Biology of the University of Antwerp (UA), which had a long co-operation with SUA in the field of rodent research. With the logistic support of the Tanzanian Peoples Defense Forces (TPDF), APOPO has established extensive training and test minefields. The project still kept its Belgian liaison office at the University of Antwerp.

At the test and training fields at the Sokoine University of Agriculture, APOPO systematically improved its detection methodology using rats. By 2003, APOPO was ready for its first field testing in a real demining scenario, and set up an operation in Mozambique. The first tests on a real mine field in November 2003 showed good results. In 2004, a first group of rats passed official licensing tests according to IMAS standards under supervision of the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) and the National Demining Institute in Mozambique (IND).

While the demining work was progressing, APOPO started investigating the potential use of its technology for the detection of pathogens. In December 2004, a new project targeting this new application was officially started. At the new centre, rats detect TB bacteria in human sputum samples. The preliminary results for TB detection are very promising and in early 2009 the validation stage results will be available.