Cambodia’s hero rat, Magawa, is retiring after sniffing out land mines for five years. During his service, he discovered 71 land mines and 38 items of unexploded ordinance. Only one could guess at how many lives of men, women and children were saved by his work.
Magawa’s sense of smell was especially keen, and he could detect a landmine by the chemicals used in it. Once located, the landmine could then be removed safely.
APOPO is an organization that trains these African giant pouched rats. They claim to have cleared 4.3 million square meters of land in Cambodia alone, and this would have never been possible without the help of hero rats, like Magawa.
It is now time for him to relax. Do any of you know a rat in your area that you would like to have volunteer for his job?
Hero Rat Retires
August 13, 2021 by