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Boom crown rat: Magawa the explosive rodent receives the George Cross animal award after discovering dozens of explosive devices
- The Magawa Bomb Disposal Rat scratches the top of the ground when it detects a landmine that alerts handlers
- It can search the area the size of a tennis court in 30 minutes, which can take a human and metal detector up to four days.
- Magawa has been formally recognized for his work and received a miniature PDSA gold medal
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A landmine detection rat has been given the animal equivalent of a George Cross for its ‘bravery to save lives’.
Magawa, a giant African bagged rat, has discovered 39 landmines and 28 unexploded ordnance since he was trained by the APOPO charity, which specializes in training animals to detect landmines and tuberculosis.
He is the charity’s most successful Rat hero, having cleared more than 141,000 square meters of land, the equivalent of 20 football fields.
Magawa, a giant African bagged rat, has discovered 39 landmines and 28 unexploded ordnance since he was trained by a charity. She is pictured above with her miniature gold medal.
Magawa has been formally recognized for his work and has received a miniature PDSA gold medal, the animal equivalent of George Cross.
It is the first rat in the charity’s 77-year history to receive such an award.
He is the charity’s most successful Rat hero, having cleared more than 141,000 square meters of land, the equivalent of 20 football fields.
Christophe Cox, CEO of APOPO, told the PA news agency: ‘Receiving this medal is truly an honor for us. I have been working with APOPO for more than 20 years.
‘Especially for our animal trainers who wake up very early every day to train those animals in the morning.
“But it is also important for the people of Cambodia and for all the people around the world who suffer from landmines. PDSA’s gold medal award brings the landmine problem to global attention. ‘
He said rats are ‘smart’ and will work repetitive tasks to get food rewards better than other animals.
Their size means they are in less danger when walking through landmine fields.
Rats require a year of training before being certified.
They work about half an hour a day, early in the morning.
Once they spot a landmine, they scrape off the top, alerting their human handlers.
Rats are trained to detect a chemical compound inside explosives, and because they ignore any junk lying around, they work faster than a metal detector.
Magawa, now nearing retirement age, can search the area of a tennis court in 30 minutes, something that would take a human with a metal detector up to four days.
PDSA CEO Jan McLoughlin said: “The work of Magawa and APOPO is truly unique and exceptional.
Cambodia estimates that between four and six million landmines were placed in the country between 1975 and 1998, which sadly have caused more than 64,000 casualties.
‘Magawa’s work saves and directly changes the lives of men, women and children who are affected by these landmines. Every discovery he makes reduces the risk of injury or death to the local population.
“The PDSA Animal Awards program seeks to raise the status of animals in society and honor the incredible contribution they make to our lives.
‘Magawa’s dedication, skill and bravery are an extraordinary example of this and deserve the highest possible recognition. We are delighted to award him the PDSA Gold Medal. ‘
Cambodia has the highest number of mine amputees per capita in the world: more than 40,000 people.
Magawa, now nearing retirement age, can search the area of a tennis court in 30 minutes, something that would take a human with a metal detector up to four days.
