A rat trained to detect landmines in Cambodia has established a new global record by discovering more than 100 explosive devices and unexploded munitions, announced a charity organisation on Friday.
Since beginning work in northern Preah Vihear province in August 2021, Ronin , a giant African pouched rat, has located 109 landmines and 15 additional dangerous war remnants, according to Belgian organisation APOPO .
The five-year-old Ronin, part of 'HeroRAT' achieved recognition as the most effective mine detection rat (MDR) in the organisation's records. "His exceptional accomplishments have earned him the Guinness World Records title for most landmines detected by a rat, highlighting the critical role of HeroRats in humanitarian demining," annnounced APOPO.
HeroRATs is a nickname given to African giant pouched rats being trained to detect landmines and diagnose tuberculosis as part of an innovative demining and health initiative. When used alongside conventional methods, these highly skilled rats significantly accelerate the detection process
Ronin surpassed the previous record set by Magawa, who discovered 71 landmines and 38 UXOs during his five-year tenure before retiring in 2021.
Magawa, who received a gold medal for valour after clearing mines from approximately 225,000 square metres of terrain - equivalent to 42 football grounds - passed away in 2022.
According to APOPO, Ronin could continue his detection work for "two years or more". "He's not just an asset, he's a valued partner and colleague," stated Ronin's handler Phanny in the announcement.
Addressing the win, managing editor of Guinness World Records Adam Millward said, “Guinness World Records feats aren’t always just about smashing milestones – sometimes they can be about smashing preconceptions too. The life-changing results of APOPO’s HeroRATs, their handlers and all the people involved with training and caring for these incredible animals is a revelatory example of the good that can be achieved when humans and animals work together.”
Cambodia continues to be scattered with mines, abandoned ammunition and other armaments from warfare dating back to the 1960s.
Following over three decades of civil conflict that ended in 1998, Cambodia emerged as one of the world's most extensively mined nations.
Deaths from mines and unexploded ordnance continue, with approximately 20,000 casualties since 1979, and at least double that number injured.
In February, two Cambodian infants lost their lives when a rocket-propelled grenade, believed to have been buried since the civil war, detonated near their residences in northwestern Siem Reap province.
Cambodia's original target of being mine-free by 2025 has been extended by five years due to funding limitations and the discovery of new landmine areas along the Thai border.
Since beginning work in northern Preah Vihear province in August 2021, Ronin , a giant African pouched rat, has located 109 landmines and 15 additional dangerous war remnants, according to Belgian organisation APOPO .
The five-year-old Ronin, part of 'HeroRAT' achieved recognition as the most effective mine detection rat (MDR) in the organisation's records. "His exceptional accomplishments have earned him the Guinness World Records title for most landmines detected by a rat, highlighting the critical role of HeroRats in humanitarian demining," annnounced APOPO.
HeroRATs is a nickname given to African giant pouched rats being trained to detect landmines and diagnose tuberculosis as part of an innovative demining and health initiative. When used alongside conventional methods, these highly skilled rats significantly accelerate the detection process
Ronin surpassed the previous record set by Magawa, who discovered 71 landmines and 38 UXOs during his five-year tenure before retiring in 2021.
Magawa, who received a gold medal for valour after clearing mines from approximately 225,000 square metres of terrain - equivalent to 42 football grounds - passed away in 2022.
According to APOPO, Ronin could continue his detection work for "two years or more". "He's not just an asset, he's a valued partner and colleague," stated Ronin's handler Phanny in the announcement.
Addressing the win, managing editor of Guinness World Records Adam Millward said, “Guinness World Records feats aren’t always just about smashing milestones – sometimes they can be about smashing preconceptions too. The life-changing results of APOPO’s HeroRATs, their handlers and all the people involved with training and caring for these incredible animals is a revelatory example of the good that can be achieved when humans and animals work together.”
Cambodia continues to be scattered with mines, abandoned ammunition and other armaments from warfare dating back to the 1960s.
Following over three decades of civil conflict that ended in 1998, Cambodia emerged as one of the world's most extensively mined nations.
Deaths from mines and unexploded ordnance continue, with approximately 20,000 casualties since 1979, and at least double that number injured.
In February, two Cambodian infants lost their lives when a rocket-propelled grenade, believed to have been buried since the civil war, detonated near their residences in northwestern Siem Reap province.
Cambodia's original target of being mine-free by 2025 has been extended by five years due to funding limitations and the discovery of new landmine areas along the Thai border.
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