Cambodia unveils memorial statue for hero minesweeper Rat after clearing 100 landmines

When a small African giant pouched rat named Magawa finished his work clearing explosive hazards in Cambodia, the country decided he deserved a place of honor where he could be remembered by future generations. Artists and officials gathered in Siem Reap to unveil a stone statue that recognizes a quietly heroic life spent keeping people safe and returning land to families and farmers.

Magawa’s nose led him to more than 100 hidden mines and unexploded devices over the course of his career, freeing roughly 1.5 million square feet—an area comparable to about 20 English football fields—for safe use again. The memorial, revealed on International Day for Mine Awareness, celebrates an unlikely but effective partner in humanitarian demining.

How Magawa became a symbol of mine clearance in Cambodia

Trained by the Belgian nonprofit APOPO, Magawa arrived in Cambodia after beginning his life and training in Africa. Over a five-year career that began in 2016, he specialized in sniffing out landmines and unexploded ordnance, working in places where metal detectors and manual clearance can be slow, costly, and risky.

Magawa’s track record includes locating more than 100 explosive devices and helping restore huge swaths of land to safe, productive use. In recognition of his contribution, the UK veterinary charity PDSA awarded him its prestigious Medal of Gallantry in 2020—an honor normally reserved for people.

Why rats are used for minesweeping and how they work

Using rodents for humanitarian demining might sound odd at first, but APOPO’s model leverages the rats’ remarkable sense of smell, light weight, and trainability. African giant pouched rats are large for rodents but too light to trigger anti-personnel mines, making them safer than human deminers and, in many contexts, more practical than dogs.

Practical advantages of APOPO’s “Hero Rats”

• Speed: A single rat can search an area the size of a tennis court in roughly 30 minutes—work that can take a person with a metal detector days to complete.
• Sensitivity: These rats are trained to indicate the presence of explosive compounds by pawing or scratching the ground, signaling technicians to investigate further.
• Safety: Their low weight prevents accidental detonation of most anti-personnel mines.
• Scale: APOPO’s program has trained many rats worldwide, contributing to the clearance of tens of thousands of explosive items.

Impact on communities: land returned and lives rebuilt

Land contaminated by mines often sits idle for decades, reducing food production and forcing families to avoid fields, trails, and other everyday routes. Magawa’s work helped transform pockets of hazard into places where crops can grow again and children can move without fear.

The human side of demining is not just about removing metal from soil; it’s about restoring economic opportunity and safety. Each cleared mine opens possibilities: farmers can till fields, markets can reopen, and families can rebuild homes without constant worry about hidden explosives.

• Area cleared by Magawa: roughly 1,500,000 square feet (about 20 football fields)
• Devices located by APOPO’s programs globally: over 106,000 mines and explosive remnants
• Recognition: Magawa received the PDSA Medal of Gallantry in 2020 for his service

The statue in Siem Reap and the ceremony that followed

On April 4, International Day for Mine Awareness, Cambodian artists carved a lifelike stone statue of Magawa and presented it in Siem Reap. The unveiling was led by Dr. Ly Tuch, First Vice President of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority, who praised the rat’s contribution in moving communities from fear to recovery.

In his remarks, Dr. Ly emphasized how a single creature could transform the land beneath people’s feet and the course of daily life for entire neighborhoods. He described the cleared areas as reclaimed space where children can play and farmers can work without looking over their shoulders.

APOPO’s broader mission and the global mine problem

APOPO is one of several organizations tackling the persistent legacy of conflict: millions of acres around the world remain contaminated with mines and unexploded ordnance. These hazards are often indiscriminate, affecting civilians long after wars end and disproportionately harming children who find dangerous objects while playing.

APOPO’s approach combines animal training, local partnerships, and careful technical protocols to speed up the demining process. Their work has helped declare some countries mine-free and has returned productive land and safe passage to communities across continents.

• First major deployment: Mozambique, where APOPO-trained rats contributed to areas being cleared and declared mine-free.
• Global reach: APOPO and similar programs work in multiple countries to reduce explosive hazards and support victim assistance.
• Efficiency gains: Rats complement human teams and machinery, reducing time and cost per cleared hectare.

Recognition, legacy, and what Magawa’s statue represents

The stone memorial is both a tribute to one animal’s exceptional service and a public reminder that solutions to complex problems can come from unexpected places. By honoring Magawa, Cambodia is also highlighting the ongoing need to fund and support demining operations worldwide.

During the ceremony, officials noted that the statue is intended to inspire continued investment in clearing contaminated lands and to celebrate the many humans and animals who work together to remove threats. Dr. Ly’s words underscored the symbolic power of the memorial—an emblem of safety returned and hope renewed for communities that have endured years of danger.

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Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson is an experienced journalist covering U.S. and global news. With ten years on the front lines, he breaks down political and economic stories that matter. His precise writing and keen attention to detail help you grasp the real‑world impact of every event.