The Rotary Club of Funchal has officially adopted Baraka, a HeroRAT trained by the Belgian non-governmental organisation APOPO to detect landmines in Angola. The initiative is intended to support humanitarian work in areas affected by armed conflict. Baraka, whose name means “blessing” in Swahili, was born on the 4th of August 2022 and is currently deployed in Angola. APOPO says he is a curious and playful rat. HeroRATs are trained to identify the chemical compounds in explosives while ignoring metal objects, which allows them to operate effectively in dangerous terrain. Their light weight also means they do not trigger landmines, and APOPO says one trained rat can inspect an area the size of a tennis court in around 30 minutes, compared with several days using conventional methods. The Rotary Club of Funchal says the adoption helps communities still affected by landmines, while also supporting mine and tuberculosis detection programmes, animal training and welfare, and the recovery of safe land. As part of the adoption, the club will receive regular updates on Baraka’s progress and work in Angola.
