Giant African pouched rats find landmines and much more

Landmines have been used as weapons of war since 1277, when the Song Dynasty Chinese used them against Mongols who were besieging a city. Concerted efforts to put an end to their use are underway, galvanized by humanitarians such as Jody Williams and Rae McGrath, who won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1997 for founding The International Campaign to Ban Landmines. Despite these efforts, landmines continue to be placed, adding onto the many remaining from the millions that have been planted since 1900. They cause great harm by denying civilians access to their homes and land, as well as by causing bodily harm, death, and psychological duress. According to a recent report,1 people in more than 70 countries are adversely affected by mined areas, and nearly 500,000 people live with injuries inflicted by mines. Many victims are both severely handicapped and unable to afford the rehabilitation and the other services that they need.