In an extraordinary achievement, Ronin, a giant African pouched rat, has set a new world record for detecting landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXOs) in Cambodia. This remarkable rodent, working with the Belgian charity APOPO, has successfully sniffed out 109 landmines and 15 other dangerous remnants of war since his deployment in northern Preah Vihear province in August 2021.
At just five years old, Ronin has earned the title of the most successful Mine Detection Rat (MDR) in APOPO’s history. His incredible feats have earned him a Guinness World Records title for the most landmines detected by a rat, surpassing the previous record held by Magawa, another hero rat who found 71 landmines and 38 UXOs during his five-year service before retiring in 2021.
“Ronin’s outstanding success highlights the vital role of HeroRats in humanitarian demining,” APOPO stated. Ronin’s exceptional skills have not only helped save countless lives but also shine a light on the ongoing dangers posed by landmines in Cambodia, a country still recovering from the aftermath of decades of conflict.
Despite Magawa’s passing in 2022, Ronin continues his life-saving work, with at least two more years of detection service ahead. “He’s not just an asset; he’s a valued partner and colleague,” said Phanny, Ronin’s handler, in a statement.
Cambodia remains one of the most heavily mined countries in the world, with dangerous remnants of war still claiming lives. Since the end of the civil war in 1998, the country has experienced over 20,000 fatalities due to landmines and UXOs, with thousands more wounded. Tragically, just this year, two toddlers were killed by an unexploded rocket-propelled grenade in Siem Reap province, highlighting the ongoing threat.
Despite the Cambodian government’s goal of being mine-free by 2025, progress has been slow due to funding challenges and the discovery of new minefields, especially along the Thai border. Ronin’s incredible success is a beacon of hope in the fight to make Cambodia safer and to eliminate these deadly remnants of war.
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