Latest news with #HeroRats
Sharjah 24
04-04-2025
- General
- Sharjah 24
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.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Rat earns world record for sniffing landmines in Cambodia
A landmine-hunting rat in Cambodia has set a new world record by sniffing out more than 100 mines and pieces of unexploded ordnance, a charity said Friday. Ronin, a giant African pouched rat, has tracked down 109 landmines and 15 other potentially deadly war remnants since his deployment to northern Preah Vihear province in August 2021, the Belgian charity APOPO said in a statement. Five-year-old Ronin has been named the most successful Mine Detection Rat (MDR) in the organisation's history. "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," APOPO said. Ronin beat the previous record, held by hero rodent Magawa who found 71 landmines and 38 UXOs during his five-year service before retirement in 2021. Magawa, who was awarded a gold medal for heroism for clearing mines from about 225,000 square metres of land -- the equivalent of 42 football pitches -- died in 2022. Ronin may have two years or more of detection work ahead of him, APOPO said. "He's not just an asset, he's a valued partner and colleague," Phanny, Ronin's handler, said in the statement. Cambodia remains littered with mines, discarded ammunition and other arms from decades of war starting in the 1960s. After more than 30 years of civil war ended in 1998, Cambodia was left as one of the most heavily mined countries in the world. Deaths from mines and unexploded ordnance are still common, with around 20,000 fatalities since 1979, and twice that number wounded. Two Cambodian toddlers were killed in February when a rocket-propelled grenade believed buried since the country's civil war blew up near their homes in northwestern Siem Reap province. Cambodia had aimed to be mine-free by 2025, but the government pushed the deadline back by five years because of funding challenges and new landmine fields found along the Thai border. suy/pdw/dhc
