APOPO

For over 25 years we have tackled landmines & tuberculosis using trained rats and other detection animals. More info: www.apopo.org
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For over 25 years APOPO has been a global leader in training scent detection animals. Since its humble beginnings, APOPO has responded to the devastating impact of landmines on people and post-conflict areas
by developing a fast, simple, and cost-efficient mine clearance technology that can be sustained within national mine action programs in low-income countries. Through its unique method of usin

g trained African giant pouched rats, APOPO has been highly effective in detecting landmines, which has allowed the organization to expand its efforts into other fields, such as tuberculosis (TB) control, and to develop specially trained Technical Survey Dogs. As a research organization, APOPO remains committed to staying at the forefront of developing new humanitarian and environmental applications. APOPO’s Training and Innovation Center is based out of the Sokoine University of Agriculture in Tanzania. The Mine Action operations are spread across Angola, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. Additionally, operational partnerships are maintained in South Sudan, Senegal and Turkey. APOPO’s programs work within government health systems to support over 160 partner clinics in Ethiopia, Mozambique, and Tanzania in their fight against TB. APOPO’s TB detection research laboratories work with trained rats and confirmatory technology to detect TB. We are supported by a large international network of diverse partners, donors, and the general public. Foundations in Switzerland, the United States, and the United Kingdom support APOPO’s work to save lives and develop sustainable solutions in low-income countries.

05/29/2026

POV: it’s and your snack delivery finally arrives. 😄

HeroRAT Zeki is heading into the weekend the best way possible, opening parcels, finding treats, and filling those cheeks to full capacity.

05/28/2026

This year, Technical Survey Dog Rina has already helped survey nearly 94,000 m² of land near the historic Koh Ker temple complex in Cambodia. Her team's efforts found 25 items and greatly reduced the minefield boundaries. Her work will help communities safely reclaim land and preserve access to important cultural heritage areas.

Rina carries out her scent detection work during the cool morning hours alongside her handler, using her exceptional sense of smell to search large areas quickly and efficiently. When she detects the smell of explosives she is trained to sit down at least 1 meter from the target. Technical Survey Dogs like Rina play a vital role in helping teams define hazardous areas more accurately, making land clearance operations safer and more effective.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/49tQ6QS

05/27/2026

Each of our is a valuable partner.

At the heart of our priorities lies the well-being of each rat under our care. Our commitment to them translates into careful nurturing, featuring a nutritious, balanced diet, plenty of exercise, stimulation, enrichment, and the gentle care of our expert handlers.

05/26/2026

During Indication Training, young learn to trigger a CLICK and earn a tasty food reward from their handler by interacting with a hidden tea egg containing explosives (TNT).

05/24/2026

isn't just about clearing land — it's about restoring lives. By removing landmines and explosive remnants of war, APOPO opens roads, rebuilds safe routes to schools, and gives communities the foundation to grow again.

Because everyone deserves to live without fear of their next step...

05/23/2026

At around 4-5 weeks old, the first steps to becoming a HeroRAT are taken when the pups begin their and . handlers gently carry them, introducing them to new sights, sounds, and smells, to adapt them to the training environment and people. Trainer Dibwe gently watches over two siblings who are eager to explore. They know and trust him and enjoy these sessions exploring the new world around them.

📷 Bret Saalwaechter

05/22/2026

There's always room for more on !

Meet Thoeun, one of APOPO’s in training in Tanzania. With cheeks this full and focus this strong, it's going to be an awesome weekend!

05/21/2026

(TB) is an infectious disease that most often affects the lungs. The WHO estimates that a quarter of the world's population is infected with TB. While TB is latent in most people who never develop symptoms, the bacteria become active when the immune system is weakened, causing serious illness and likely death. Common symptoms of active TB include coughing with blood, chest pains, weakness, weight loss, fever, and night sweats.

At , we're tackling TB in an unusual way. Our African giant pouched rats — known as — are trained to sniff out TB bacteria in sputum samples. Fast, reliable, and able to screen large volumes, they're helping communities in high-burden countries find cases that standard tests miss — and connecting people to life-saving treatment.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/3RIGrwy

05/20/2026

In Cambodia, decades after conflict ended, many survivors are still living with life-changing injuries caused by war. For Yim, losing his leg during the conflict in 1975 meant decades of adapting to painful and limiting prosthetics. When his most recent prosthetic broke, even basic movement became difficult, affecting his independence and daily life.

Through APOPO’s program, Yim was supported with transport and accommodation costs so he could access services from Humanity & Inclusion (HI) and receive a new prosthetic limb.

Because is not only about clearing landmines — it is also about supporting the people whose lives have already been changed by them.

Read his story: https://bit.ly/4wBf5M5

05/19/2026

We recently welcomed participants from across East Africa to the Syntropic Agroforestry training here in Morogoro, Tanzania.

Among those who made the journey was Chris from Nara, Kenya. Hearing about his experience reminded us of something powerful: the hunger for sustainable, life-giving agriculture is growing across the region, and people are willing to go the extra mile to learn and bring that knowledge home.

Through HeroTREEs, APOPO is helping farmers break free from monoculture and embrace an approach that works with nature — restoring soil health, improving food security, and building long-term resilience for communities and ecosystems alike.

Address

1901 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 900, PMB #86
Washington D.C., DC
20006

Telephone

+12023357755

Website

http://www.apopo.org/

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