A Colorado Rat Breeder-Hidden Haven Rattery - H2R

A Colorado Pet Rat Breeder of Happy, Healthy Family Pets

Hero Rats - This is one of my "just for fun" pages.

     This page is dedicated to rats that have made a contribution to the world. This could be anything from being a good-will ambassador for rats as human companions to rats that have saved human lives. If you have a rat to nominate for the Hero Rat page, please email me with the story and pictures. You just might see your story here on this page.

 1.  Giant Pouch Rats help in the fight against TB in Africa

   

 
      Fact: 2,529,000 new case of Tuberculosis were reported in Africa in 2005. This accounted for 29% of new TB cases reported globally.

     Currently, TB cases are detected through sputum smear microscopy which is not very accurate. This is a slow and costly process.  Many countries' only chance to successfully fight TB depends on their ability to detect TB cases quickly and accurately.

      Researchers are discovering that rats are more accurate when it comes to the detection of Tuberculosis than scientists. A rat can evaluate 40 samples in 10 minutes, equal to what a skilled lab technician, using microscopy, will do in two days. Without requiring sophisticated instruments, this method is non invasive and can handle a high volume of samples.  These factors are all very important in a pro-active screening approach. HeroRATS offer this local solution to the TB epidemic.
 
     The concept is very simple: rats sniff a series of holes, under which human sputum samples are lined up for evaluation. They pinpoint the samples which contain TB bacteria. Their correct indications are rewarded with a food treat.
     Currently HeroRATS serve a population of 500,000 people in deprived communities in Dar Es Salaam and Morogoro. Every week these trained rats find 5 to 10 patients that have been missed by microscopes. That's a lot of people!
 

2.  Rats help in clearing landmines in Mozambique

  

 Want to know more about these wonderful rats and their trainers?

 

Got a story that belongs here. 

Email me: hiddenhavenranch@msn.com