World Record Set by Cambodian Landmine-Sniffing Rat

Ronin, a giant pouched rat working in Cambodia, has achieved a remarkable milestone by identifying over 100 landmines along with other unexploded ordnance since being stationed in the country in August 2021. Announced by the non-profit organization Apopo, this achievement led to Ronin being honored as their most effective Mine Detection Rat (MDR) to date, with his record tally comprising 109 landmines and 15 unexploded items.

His efforts have been formally acknowledged by the Guinness Book of World Records, which highlighted the importance of Ronin's work in improving safety for individuals living in constant fear of landmines. At just five years old, Ronin is expected to continue his vital detection work for potentially two more years, further increasing his already impressive record.

Previously, the record was held by another African giant pouched rat named Magawa, who found 71 landmines over a span of five years. The organization Apopo, which is based in Tanzania, boasts a team of 104 HeroRATS trained for similar life-saving tasks, with Ronin being noted for his hard-working yet friendly demeanor.

Cambodia, having endured years of civil conflict, remains one of the countries most affected by landmines, with extensive areas of land still posing a threat. The prevalence of landmines has resulted in a high number of amputees, with over 40,000 individuals losing limbs due to these deadly remnants of war. Apopo states that its trained rats can efficiently search a tennis court-sized area in as little as 30 minutes, in stark contrast to the several days it could take a human deminer equipped with a metal detector, especially in environments cluttered with scrap metal. The rodents are adept at identifying TNT, the chemical compound found in explosives, while skillfully ignoring non-hazardous metal debris.