When the civil war in Angola ended 15 tears ago, elephant populations slowly started to return to their pre-conflict grazing grounds. The only problem was millions of landmines remained undetonated across Angola, killing many elephants as they returned to the region. Data collected from collared elephants moving through the affected areas showed the herds had learned to avoid the minefields over the years. Researchers have attributed this to their supreme sense of smell, which is why they are having elephants smell samples collected by unmanned vehicles in areas suspected of having landmines in order to support demining operations.
How African Elephants’ amazing sense of smell could save lives
More of Today's Solutions
Oslo’s quiet revolution: how electric construction sites are changing the game
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Imagine walking past a bustling construction site and hearing… almost nothing. In Oslo, that’s becoming the new normal. ...
Read MoreDIY toothpaste: a simple, eco-friendly guide to sparkling teeth
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Are you tired of reaching for the same old toothpaste tube every morning? Making your own toothpaste not ...
Read MoreThe Rockefeller Christmas Tree gets a charitable new life after the holidays
We once shared how a tiny owl was rescued from the branches of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree. Now we have more good news as ...
Read MoreRobot fish repairs itself with microplastics it collects
Microplastics are one of the most pervasive environmental and health issues of our time. And environmental engineers and researchers are working nonstop to address ...
Read More
