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In this undated photo issued by PDSA, People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals, Cambodia’s landmine detection rat, Magawa is photographed with his PDSA gold medal, George Cross’s animal equivalent, in Siem, Cambodia. On Friday 25 September 2020, a British animal charity awarded its highest civilian honor to a rat for the first time, recognizing the rodent for its “courage and life-saving devotion” in the search for unexploded landmines in Cambodia. (PDSA via AP)
LONDON – A rat first won the highest civilian award from a British charity for animal bravery, receiving the honor for searching for unexploded landmines in Cambodia.
Magawa, a giant African bagged rat, received the PDSA Gold Medal for “bravery and devotion to saving lives” after discovering 39 landmines and 28 items of unexploded ordnance in the past seven years, according to the charity. .
First known as the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals, PDSA began as a free veterinary clinic in 1917 and has honored heroic animals since 1943.
Magawa was trained by a Belgian organization that has taught rats to find landmines for more than 20 years. The Apopo group works with programs in Cambodia, Angola, Zimbabwe and Mozambique to clear millions of mines left behind by wars and conflicts.
Awarded first rat
The PDSA Gold Medal has been awarded since 2002 to recognize the bravery and exceptional acts of devotion of animals in civil service. It is considered the animal equivalent of George Cross, a decoration for heroism.
Before Magawa, all recipients were dogs.
According to PDSA, Magawa is 70 centimeters long and weighs 1,230 grams.
Bananas and peanuts are his favorite food, and the wheel on the playground is his favorite toy.
He is described as “a determined and always friendly worker,” with a “quick and determined” temperament and who “likes to take naps at recess.”
His favorite activities are eating watermelons and searching for landmines, knowing that he will be rewarded with bananas. —AP
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