By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Magawa was recognized in 2020 with the PDSA Gold Medal, an honor equivalent to the George Cross for animals, for his “life-saving devotion to duty.” This marked a historic occasion, as Magawa became the inaugural rat to receive the prestigious medal in the charity’s 77-year existence.
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Cambodia has recently unveiled a remarkable statue in Siem Reap, honoring the incredible bravery and life-saving work of Magawa, a famous landmine-sniffing rat. This is not just any statue; it’s believed to be the world’s very first monument dedicated to a rat that detects landmines, a testament to the profound impact this remarkable creature had on saving lives.
Magawa, an African giant pouched rat, lived a full life, reaching the age of eight, and during his dedicated five-year career that began in 2016, he achieved an extraordinary feat. He sniffed out over 100 landmines and other dangerous explosive devices across Cambodia, a country still grappling with the lingering threat of these deadly remnants of conflict.
The statue itself, carved from local stone by skilled artists, was revealed on a Friday, strategically timed to coincide with the International Day for Mine Awareness, which falls on April 4th. This timely commemoration serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing dangers posed by landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO). According to United Nations data, over a million people in Cambodia still live and work on land contaminated by these hazards, underscoring the critical importance of Magawa’s work and the need for continued efforts.
Magawa’s journey to heroism began when he was trained by the Belgian charity Apopo, an organization renowned for its innovative use of rodents in humanitarian efforts. Upon completing his training, Magawa was deployed to Cambodia to embark on his crucial mission. His success stemmed from his incredibly acute sense of smell, which was meticulously trained to detect the specific chemical compounds found within explosives. When Magawa detected a landmine, he would alert his human handlers, allowing them to safely neutralize the threat, thus preventing potential tragedies.
The sheer scale of Magawa’s achievements is staggering. In his career, he meticulously cleared more than 141,000 square meters of land, an area equivalent to roughly 20 football pitches. What makes this even more impressive is his efficiency; he could survey a field the size of a tennis court in a mere 20 minutes, a task that would take significantly longer and be far more perilous for human teams. This speed and accuracy were vital in making contaminated land safe again.
In recognition of his unparalleled dedication and bravery, Magawa was awarded the prestigious PDSA Gold Medal in 2020. This medal is often referred to as the animal equivalent of the George Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the UK. Magawa was the very first rat to receive this honor in the charity’s 77-year history, a clear indication of the exceptional nature of his service. Sadly, after a brief retirement due to old age and “slowing down,” Magawa passed away in 2022, leaving behind a legacy of unparalleled heroism.
Michael Raine, the Cambodia Programme Manager for Apopo, highlighted the significance of the statue during its unveiling, stating that the monument serves as a crucial reminder to the international community that there is still much work to be done in Cambodia. The country has set an ambitious target to be mine-free by 2030, a goal that relies heavily on the continued efforts of organizations like Apopo.
Apopo has been at the forefront of training these exceptional rodents, affectionately known as HeroRATS, since the 1990s. Their effectiveness lies in their unique characteristics. Due to their small size, these rats are not heavy enough to detonate the landmines they are searching for, making them a significantly safer and more efficient option than human demining teams. This innovation has revolutionized mine detection efforts.
Beyond their life-saving work in landmine detection, Apopo’s HeroRATS have proven their versatility in other critical areas. They have been trained to detect tuberculosis, an infectious lung disease, with remarkable speed and accuracy, often identifying it far quicker than traditional laboratory methods. Furthermore, these remarkable animals have been instrumental in combating illegal wildlife trafficking in Tanzania, showcasing their adaptability and wide-ranging impact.
The legacy of Magawa is also being carried forward by other HeroRATS. Another Apopo-trained rat, named Ronin, set a new world record in 2025 by discovering an astonishing 109 landmines and 15 items of unexploded ordnance since 2021. Ronin’s exceptional performance in Cambodia’s northern Preah Vihear province has surpassed even Magawa’s impressive record, demonstrating the ongoing success and evolution of Apopo’s program.
The unveiling of Magawa’s statue is more than just a tribute to an individual animal; it’s a symbol of hope and a powerful reminder of the devastating impact of landmines and the innovative solutions being developed to address this persistent global challenge. It highlights the vital role that animals can play in humanitarian efforts and inspires continued support for organizations like Apopo, which are dedicated to creating a safer world. The act of sponsoring a HeroRat or donating to Apopo offers a tangible way for individuals to contribute to this crucial mission, allowing these incredible creatures to continue their life-saving work. The thought of sponsoring such an animal, receiving monthly impact updates detailing cleared land and hazards removed, offers a profound connection to the efforts on the ground. This connection fuels a desire to support these initiatives, especially when recognizing that landmine victims are often innocent children or hardworking farmers. The ability of these rats to quickly and safely survey contaminated areas, particularly where metal detectors fail, is truly impressive and offers significant economic and social benefits by returning land for safe play and agricultural use. The name “Magawa” itself, meaning “do it” in Tagalog, perfectly encapsulates the spirit of action and determination embodied by this extraordinary rodent hero.