Training mine bombing

The mouse is standing on the shoulder of a policeman during the training session. ( AP ) Lola and Espejo, two long-eyed beards, are being trained by Colombian police to sniff out bombs and mines. They belong to the force of 6 experimental mice prepared to launch dangerous missions.

These agents aimed to dismantle more than 100,000 slow-bombs across rural Colombia after four decades of conflict between the government and rebels.

Unlike dogs, each mouse weighs less than 3 lbs, and "does not activate any explosions if they accidentally stomp on mines", Col. Javier Cifuentes, director of the Sibate police academy, where the special training takes place, said.

To graduate, the rats had to spend a whole year under a rigorous daily practice regime, where they were placed in a maze with C-4 explosives and other bomb materials. When they discover the target, they will be rewarded with cookies to chew and a few strokes behind their ears.

According to trainers, mice can locate explosives in 83% of cases. However, they estimate they will be 100% successful in just 6 months of practice and these "special police" will be on duty.

Cifuentes said he believes Colombia is the first country to use mice to do police work, although larger rodents are still being used for similar purposes in Sudan.

According to government figures, Colombia has the world's largest number of casualties from landmine / UXO casualties, nearly a quarter of which have died.

T. An