Meet Carolina: the giant rat who became a hero in the fight against tuberculosis (TB).  After seven years of dedicated service, Carolina, a trained African giant pouched rat, has retired from her life-saving role with the nonprofit APOPO in East Africa.

Carolina wasn’t your ordinary rat. She had a remarkable superpower — her exceptional sense of smell allowed her to detect TB in samples that conventional tests often missed. Over the course of her service, Carolina sniffed out more than 3,000 TB cases, potentially preventing over 400,000 new infections. Her efficiency was unmatched, as she could check 100 samples in just 20 minutes — a task that would take a human technician days to complete.

To celebrate her incredible achievements, the clinic threw a party in her honor, complete with cake and heartfelt gratitude.  It was a fitting tribute to a tiny hero who made an enormous impact on the health and lives of so many.

Carolina’s story is a powerful reminder that heroes come in all shapes and sizes, and sometimes the smallest noses can make the biggest difference. She’s a true testament to the power of compassion and innovation — proving that every contribution, no matter how small, can save lives.