Rat earns world record for sniffing landmines in Cambodia

Ronin, a giant African pouched rat, has successfully tracked down 109 landmines and 15 other potentially deadly remnants of war since his deployment to northern Preah Vihear province in August 2021, according to the Belgian charity APOPO.

Record-breaking achievements
At just five years old, Ronin has become the most successful Mine Detection Rat (MDR) in APOPO's history. His remarkable achievements earned him the Guinness World Records title for the most landmines detected by a rat, emphasizing the vital role of HeroRats in humanitarian demining efforts.

Previous record holder
Ronin surpassed the previous record held by Magawa, another hero rat, who discovered 71 landmines and 38 unexploded ordnance (UXOs) during his five-year service before retiring in 2021. Magawa was awarded a gold medal for heroism after clearing mines from approximately 225,000 square meters of land.

Ongoing mission
APOPO noted that Ronin may have two more years of detection work ahead of him. His handler, Phanny, expressed that Ronin is not just an asset but a valued partner and colleague.

The humanitarian crisis in Cambodia
Cambodia continues to be heavily affected by landmines and unexploded ordnance from decades of conflict dating back to the 1960s. Since the end of a civil war in 1998, the country has struggled with one of the highest rates of landmine casualties globally, with around 20,000 deaths recorded since 1979.

Recent tragedies
Tragically, two Cambodian toddlers were killed in February when a rocket-propelled grenade, believed to have been buried since the civil war, exploded near their homes in northwestern Siem Reap province.

Challenges ahead
Although Cambodia aimed to be mine-free by 2025, the government has postponed this goal by five years due to funding challenges and the discovery of new landmine fields along the Thai border.