Research was conducted in US and involved the South Africa military . Experiment found elephants excel at identifying explosives by smell . Animals were able to find TNT among buckets filled with distracting smells . Skill could be used to find buried landmines in former areas of conflict . Drones could collect mine field scent samples for elephant analysis . Elephant 's sense of smell could be used to inspire new sensors .
Research was conducted in South Africa and involved the US military . Experiment found elephants excel at identifying explosives by smell . Animals were able to find TNT among buckets filled with distracting smells . Skill could be used to find buried landmines in former areas of conflict . Drones could collect mine field scent samples for elephant analysis . Elephant 's sense of smell could be used to inspire new sensors .