Dogs are too basic for the job; it’s time to switch things up by introducing drug-detecting squirrels.
Police officers in Chongqing, China, have roped in trained squirrels to ward off drug traffickers. The Police Dog Brigade of the Criminal Police Detachment in Hechuan District, Chongqing had its first round of drug-detecting squirrels and it was determined to be a success.
The mission was made possible by the research and development project that actively looked out for new ways to train the animals for the task. The squirrels’ strong sense of smell was perfect for the job responsibilities and scientists were able to tap into that ability to make them useful allies.
Chinese news outlets have confirmed that six drug-detecting squirrels will begin their work with the police, where they will be used to track down suspicious drugs and bring them to the attention of officers. The squirrels are capable of scratching at the object where the drugs are found.
Yin Jin, the lead trainer of the Hechuan police dog brigade, explained that they were able to train the squirrels using internally-developed technology and training methods.
Studies show that squirrels may be on par with sniffer dogs in detecting dogs and they are effective in carrying out the job effectively. They may even be better than dogs with their speed and ability to climb higher heights.
Source: https://youtu.be/C1wN_l2pek4