African giant pouched rats, known for their exceptional sense of smell, are being used to detect trafficked wildlife and illegal plant trade, scientists said in the journal Frontiers in Conservation Science. The giant pouched rats, known scientifically as Cricetomys ansorgei, use their keen sense of smell to help track down smugglers and protect endangered species. The wildlife detectives can sniff out illegal items such as elephant ivory, rhino horn, pangolin scales, and even African blackwood. A study involving 11 giant pouched rats showed that the rodents are capable of detecting smuggled p…