Ronin, a five-year-old African giant pouched rat, has made headlines by setting a world record as the first rodent to detect over 100 landmines and war remnants in Cambodia. Since his training began in 2021, Ronin has successfully uncovered 109 landmines and 15 unexploded ordnance items, significantly contributing to the safety of Cambodian communities still living in fear of landmines from the civil war that ended in 1998.
The hero rat's achievements were recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records, which highlighted the "crucial work" being done to transform lives by allowing safe access to previously dangerous land. According to charity Apopo, who trains Ronin and his fellow HeroRATS, the impact of these rodents' work is profound, enabling locals to reclaim and safely utilize their land.
Apopo, based in Tanzania, currently has 104 trained rats engaging in demining efforts. The rodents are adept at sniffing out chemicals found in landmines, and their small size means they do not trigger detonation. In a mere 30 minutes, a rat can assess the same area that would take a human operator with a metal detector four days to clear.
Interestingly, these HeroRATS are not only skilled in detecting landmines but also in identifying tuberculosis more quickly than traditional lab methods. Ronin's record-breaking feats surpass those of Magawa, another HeroRAT who discovered 71 mines and was awarded a gold medal in 2020 for his valor.
Since the inception of Apopo's mission 25 years ago, the organization has cleared 169,713 explosive remnants globally, with over 52,000 identified in Cambodia alone. Yet, the fight continues, as it is estimated that four to six million landmines remain buried across the country, emphasizing the ongoing need for innovative solutions like Ronin's. Apopo extends its reach beyond Cambodia, working in various war-affected regions including Ukraine, South Sudan, and Azerbaijan, proving that hope and healing can come in the most unexpected forms.
The hero rat's achievements were recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records, which highlighted the "crucial work" being done to transform lives by allowing safe access to previously dangerous land. According to charity Apopo, who trains Ronin and his fellow HeroRATS, the impact of these rodents' work is profound, enabling locals to reclaim and safely utilize their land.
Apopo, based in Tanzania, currently has 104 trained rats engaging in demining efforts. The rodents are adept at sniffing out chemicals found in landmines, and their small size means they do not trigger detonation. In a mere 30 minutes, a rat can assess the same area that would take a human operator with a metal detector four days to clear.
Interestingly, these HeroRATS are not only skilled in detecting landmines but also in identifying tuberculosis more quickly than traditional lab methods. Ronin's record-breaking feats surpass those of Magawa, another HeroRAT who discovered 71 mines and was awarded a gold medal in 2020 for his valor.
Since the inception of Apopo's mission 25 years ago, the organization has cleared 169,713 explosive remnants globally, with over 52,000 identified in Cambodia alone. Yet, the fight continues, as it is estimated that four to six million landmines remain buried across the country, emphasizing the ongoing need for innovative solutions like Ronin's. Apopo extends its reach beyond Cambodia, working in various war-affected regions including Ukraine, South Sudan, and Azerbaijan, proving that hope and healing can come in the most unexpected forms.
