Ronin the rat breaks world record in Cambodia by detecting more than 100 landmines
An African landmine-sniffing rat in Cambodia has broken a world record after detecting more than 100 landmines and other explosives in the country, announced its non-profit Apopo on Friday.
The giant pouched rat has been named by the Belgian charity as its most successful Mine Detection Rat (MDR) for uncovering 109 landmines and 15 items of unexploded ordnance since 2021, Apopo said in a statement.
Ronin the rat has been recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records which said that the rodent 's "crucial work" is making a real difference to people who have had to live with the "fear that one misstep while going about their day-to-day lives could be their last'.
'And Ronin's work is far from finished. At just five years old, he may have two years or more of detection work ahead of him, continuing to build on his already record-breaking total,' the statement by Apopo said.
Ronin was deployed to Preah Vihear province in Cambodia in August 2021, Apopo said.
The rodent has broken the previous record held by the African giant pouched rat Magawa who detected 71 landmines and 38 pieces of unexploded ordnance over the course of five years.
The Tanzania -based Apopo non-profit has 104 rodent recruits which it calls HeroRATS.
Its page of Ronin says that the avocado-loving rat is 68cm in length, weighs 1,175gm, and his personality is 'hardworking, but friendly and relaxed'.
Scarred by decades of civil war, Cambodia is one of the world's most heavily landmined countries, with more than 1,000sqkm (621 sq miles) of land still contaminated.
It has among the highest number of amputees per capita, with more than 40,000 people losing limbs to explosives.
Apopo says its HeroRATs can search an area the size of a tennis court in 30 minutes. The same task would take a deminer with a metal detector up to four days depending on how much scrap metal was lying around.
It says that the trained rats can detect the chemical compound within explosives called TNT, and they ignore scrap metal, unlike traditional methods with a metal detector.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ITV News
4 days ago
- ITV News
Should police dogs get a government pension?
Ministers are being urged to fulfill their "ethical and moral obligation" to police dogs by providing pensions for when the animals retire. The Thin Blue Paw Foundation charity said it has provided grants up to £380,000 to owners, since it started in August 2020, to cover the vet bills of the animals with health issues after the hard physical work they undertook throughout their careers. There is around 1,700 police dogs in the UK, according to the charity, with around 100 retiring each year. Charity chairman Kieran Stanbridge said the government "shouldn't turn their backs" on these animals who have given "the best years of their lives to the job." He said police dogs "throw themselves into dangerous situations without a second thought, they show unwavering loyalty to their handler and their job, and they give so much to help fight crime and keep the public safe. "During their careers they receive the very best care and support from the force they serve with but, as soon as they hang up their harness, they're on their own, and the responsibility for their often-expensive care falls to their ex-handler or new owner. "We believe that the Home Office, who allocate funding to police forces nationally, have an ethical and moral obligation to these dogs and shouldn't turn their backs on them when it's time to pay them back for everything they've done." The charity has set up a petition to push ministers to ring-fence a budget to provide financial support for the owners. Mr Stanbridge added: "Police dogs lead physically demanding lives and, when they retire – whether due to injury or age, they often have health problems as a result of their career, which can require expensive medication, therapy and management throughout their retirement. "Taking on any dog is a responsibility, but taking on an older retired police dog with health problems is a huge commitment, particularly during the current cost of living crisis. "We need to ensure that there is support in place for these heroic police dogs so that people aren't put off the idea of re-homing them when they retire and so that owners are never faced with the heartbreaking decision of having them put to sleep because they can't afford their treatment." Dog handler Claire Bird, form West Sussex, adopted Belgian Malinois Fiji, who worked for Surrey Police. She has required two operations, one for an infection of the uterus and another for a gastric procedure. She also needs regular medication for allergies. So far the foundation has paid £10,000 for her care. Ms Bird said: "I've kept all of my working dogs when they retire and, as any dog owner knows, taking care of them is expensive. "But I couldn't turn my back on them after everything they've given. "I believe that there should be more support in place for these incredible heroes when they retire. "They do so much for us while they're serving and yet when they retire, the Government and the police turn their backs on them." Health conditions such as arthritis can lead to bills of up to £2,400 per year for pain medication with pre-existing medical conditions not covered by pet insurance, the charity said Police Scotland dog handler Julie Roy was faced with large vet bills caring for retired German shepherd Keach, who worked for West Midlands Police before moving north of the border. Keach has arthritis in her spin and knee, and the Thin Blue Paw Foundation pays for her pain medication. Ms Roy said: "Vet bills are expensive and our dogs have worked hard in their working life, putting extra strain on the joints and the body. "These dogs deserve to have ongoing support when they retire, so they can access the medication and treatment they need having served their communities for so long." The Home Office has been approached for comment.
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Trevoh Chalobah hoping his England career lasts longer than brother Nathaniel's
The Chelsea defender has received his maiden call-up for Thomas Tuchel's squad for forthcoming games against Andorra and Senegal following a successful season. He will be hoping to get on the pitch in the World Cup qualifier against the minnows in Barcelona on Saturday or the City Ground friendly against the African side three days later. His sibling Nathaniel, who currently plays for Sheffield Wednesday, won his one and only England cap in a Nations League win over Spain in 2018, appearing for six minutes and 54 seconds as a late substitute. And Trevoh is hoping that this is just the start for him. The 25-year-old said: 'When I found out I phoned my dad, spoke to my family, let them know, and they were over the moon for me also. And my older brother as well, Nathaniel. He was happy for me also. 'Obviously, him being here also, and to see his younger brother do the same, it was a very proud moment for him. And hopefully I can be here even more. 'It's been a journey for my parents. Obviously, they've seen the highs and lows, and they've been there every single step of the way. It's a good moment for them to share.' Nathaniel Chalobah, left, made his only appearance for England against Spain in 2018 (Nick Potts/PA) Chalobah is one of five Chelsea players in the squad and he knows boss Tuchel well as the German handed him his Stamford Bridge debut. It has been an impressive season for Chalobah as he starred on loan at Crystal Palace before returning to Chelsea to help the Blues to Conference League glory and Champions League qualification, with a trip to the United States for the Club World Cup still to come. He added: 'Individually for me, it's been a very good season. This has been one of my goals, and it's good to share with the Chelsea players. 'It just shows the quality that Chelsea produce and the players, it's good to be here with them also and share that moment. 'They've obviously eased me in here and helped me. As I said, it just shows the quality and the players Chelsea are producing this over the years, it's been amazing. 'I'm here, being called up to England, and it's going to keep carrying on hopefully.' While most of the England squad will be heading on holiday after the Senegal match, Chalobah and his Chelsea team-mates will be going to the US for the revamped Club World Cup. He said: 'This is the time after the internationals you probably want a holiday. But it's going to be physically tough, it's a different environment. 'But it's important, us as players want to be competing at the highest level and playing against very good teams. This is what footballers want to be doing, and hopefully getting a trophy.'
North Wales Chronicle
4 days ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Trevoh Chalobah hoping his England career lasts longer than brother Nathaniel's
The Chelsea defender has received his maiden call-up for Thomas Tuchel's squad for forthcoming games against Andorra and Senegal following a successful season. He will be hoping to get on the pitch in the World Cup qualifier against the minnows in Barcelona on Saturday or the City Ground friendly against the African side three days later. His sibling Nathaniel, who currently plays for Sheffield Wednesday, won his one and only England cap in a Nations League win over Spain in 2018, appearing for six minutes and 54 seconds as a late substitute. A post shared by Trevoh Chalobah (@yungchalobah) And Trevoh is hoping that this is just the start for him. The 25-year-old said: 'When I found out I phoned my dad, spoke to my family, let them know, and they were over the moon for me also. And my older brother as well, Nathaniel. He was happy for me also. 'Obviously, him being here also, and to see his younger brother do the same, it was a very proud moment for him. And hopefully I can be here even more. 'It's been a journey for my parents. Obviously, they've seen the highs and lows, and they've been there every single step of the way. It's a good moment for them to share.' Chalobah is one of five Chelsea players in the squad and he knows boss Tuchel well as the German handed him his Stamford Bridge debut. It has been an impressive season for Chalobah as he starred on loan at Crystal Palace before returning to Chelsea to help the Blues to Conference League glory and Champions League qualification, with a trip to the United States for the Club World Cup still to come. He added: 'Individually for me, it's been a very good season. This has been one of my goals, and it's good to share with the Chelsea players. 'It just shows the quality that Chelsea produce and the players, it's good to be here with them also and share that moment. 'They've obviously eased me in here and helped me. As I said, it just shows the quality and the players Chelsea are producing this over the years, it's been amazing. 'I'm here, being called up to England, and it's going to keep carrying on hopefully.' While most of the England squad will be heading on holiday after the Senegal match, Chalobah and his Chelsea team-mates will be going to the US for the revamped Club World Cup. He said: 'This is the time after the internationals you probably want a holiday. But it's going to be physically tough, it's a different environment. 'But it's important, us as players want to be competing at the highest level and playing against very good teams. This is what footballers want to be doing, and hopefully getting a trophy.'
