Episode Description
This conversation will challenge everything you thought you knew about rats. Host Jordan Tyler sits down with Erin Sackett of APOPO and BSM Partners’ own zoological expert, Dr. Jen Parsons, to explore the incredible world of HeroRATs—African giant pouched rats trained to detect landmines, diagnose tuberculosis, combat wildlife trafficking, and even assist in search and rescue missions. Join us as we break down age-old myths about rodents and rats to showcasing how these incredible animals are transforming global health and safety.
Helpful Links
💣 Learn more about APOPO and its HeroRATs program, including how you can adopt or support a HeroRAT today!
🐀 Read more about the African giant pouched rat.
🎁 Find out how you can support the HeroRATs program and other APOPO initiatives around the world: https://apopo.org/support-us/
Show Notes
00:00 – Inside The Episode
00:13 – Pop Culture vs. Reality: Reframing How We Think About Rats
08:39 – Why African Giant Pouched Rats Are Uniquely Suited For Being HeroRATs
11:54 – The Four Key Roles of HeroRATs
14:08 – How Rats Detect Landmines Faster and Safer
16:24 – Using Scent Detection to Diagnose Tuberculosis
19:39 – Combating Wildlife Trafficking with Scent-Trained Rats
22:03 – Search And Rescue: The Future of Disaster Response
24:20 – Training to Become a HeroRAT
29:17 – The Full Pension Package
31:59 – The Human Element
33:49 – How to Support APOPO and the HeroRATs Program
37:35 – Final Thoughts: Rethinking Rats and Their Role in Our World