Centre of excellence in scent detection animals in Morogoro, Tanzania

An African Center of Excellence in Tanzania specialized in scent detection animals, with the human, animal, and technological capacity to develop and implement scent detection solutions that protect people and the environment, such as the detection of TB and landmines. The outcome of this project will be an African Centre of Excellence in Tanzania, specialized in scent detection animals. It will build the human, animal, and technological capacity to develop and implement solutions for the detection of tuberculosis (TB) and other applications that protect people and the environment. SUA-APOPO supplies TB detection rats to Tanzania and Ethiopia, and landmine detection rats to Cambodia and Angola. We also develop new applications for areas like disaster preparedness, such as Search and Rescue Rats which can locate trapped survivors following disasters; health diagnosis, such as the detection of Brucella; and environmental purposes, such as the detection of endangered wildlife smuggled to the far east and contaminated soils to facilitate environmental clean-up. Scent detection animal training is underdeveloped in Africa, while its inputs of knowledge, labour, and carefully selected animals are affordable and sustainable. In collaboration with the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), APOPO will develop the necessary curriculum and knowledge base to provide a sustainable capacity for this new regional industry, creating more independence from imported technology and expertise. During the program implementation period, SUA-APOPO aims to expand its research and operational partnerships with the goal of becoming a Centre of Excellence and an African focal point for scent detection animals. The final outcome should benefit the vulnerable communities affected by TB, explosive remnants of war, and environmental risks, including those caused by climate change. APOPO aims to bring a service model where a technology developed by the local population serves the needs of the local populations.