Rat Earns World Record: In an extraordinary milestone for animal-assisted humanitarian work, a five-year-old giant African pouched rat named Ronin has made global headlines after being awarded a Guinness World Record. The hero rat sniffed out an astonishing 109 landmines and 15 pieces of unexploded ordnance (UXOs) in Cambodia, earning him the title of the most successful Mine Detection Rat (MDR) in history.
Trained by Belgian charity APOPO, Ronin has been deployed in the heavily mined Preah Vihear province since August 2021. His achievements emphasize not only the potential of rats in mine detection but also the scale of Cambodia’s ongoing landmine crisis.
World Record for Sniffing Landmines
The record-breaking rat has shown exceptional skill in humanitarian demining. APOPO confirmed that Ronin is now the most successful HeroRat since the organization began training rats for landmine detection over two decades ago. He broke the previous record held by the legendary Magawa, who uncovered 71 landmines and 38 UXOs during his five-year career.
“His exceptional accomplishments have earned him the Guinness World Records title for most landmines detected by a rat,” APOPO stated.
Ronin’s sharp sense of smell allows him to detect explosives quickly and safely—without the risks associated with heavier human demining equipment. He can search a tennis court-sized area in 30 minutes, compared to up to four days for a human with a metal detector.
Meet Ronin: The Hero Who Sniffed Out 109 Landmines
Ronin began his demining journey at age three and continues to work tirelessly across Cambodian minefields. He’s described by his handler Phanny as more than just a trained animal.
“He’s not just an asset, he’s a valued partner and colleague,” said Phanny.
Ronin is expected to continue his life-saving work for at least two more years. The charity assures that Ronin is well cared for, rewarded with treats and affection, and monitored for health and safety.
The Legacy of Magawa
Before Ronin, the spotlight belonged to Magawa, who made history by clearing over 225,000 square meters of land—roughly the size of 42 football fields. His contribution to making post-war land safer for civilians earned him a PDSA Gold Medal, often referred to as the animal equivalent of the George Cross.
Magawa passed away in 2022, but his legacy lives on through Ronin and other trained HeroRats continuing the demining mission.
Cambodia’s Deadly History with Landmines
Cambodia is still suffering from the remnants of multiple wars and internal conflicts spanning from the 1960s through the 1990s. Millions of landmines and explosive remnants were left behind after years of fighting involving the Khmer Rouge, Vietnamese forces, and other factions.
Since 1979, over 20,000 people have died from landmine explosions in Cambodia, with twice as many wounded. In one recent tragedy, two toddlers were killed in Siem Reap province when a decades-old rocket-propelled grenade exploded outside their home.
Cambodia’s Goal to be Mine-Free Delayed Again
Originally targeting 2025 as the year to declare Cambodia mine-free, the government has now postponed that goal to 2030 due to funding shortages and the discovery of new minefields along the Thai border. The scale of the remaining danger is massive, and organizations like APOPO play a critical role in accelerating the pace of mine clearance.
“Clearing landmines is not only about removing explosives, it’s about restoring hope, land, and safety to communities,” said an official from Cambodia’s mine action authority.
How Hero Rats Are Trained
The Science Behind Ronin’s Super Sniffing Skills
HeroRats like Ronin undergo a nine-month training program where they are conditioned to detect the scent of TNT—the explosive compound used in most landmines. Once trained, the rats are deployed to real minefields under the supervision of trained handlers.
Weighing too little to trigger any explosives, these rats are perfect for safe landmine detection. They are also efficient—able to cover larger areas faster and with more precision than metal detectors.
Hope for the Future: Rats Changing the World
Rat Earns World Record for Sniffing Landmines and Inspires New Generation of Deminers
Ronin’s record is more than just a number. It’s a symbol of hope for a country still healing from decades of war. His success proves that innovative solutions, including the use of animals in demining, can dramatically reduce the human toll of buried explosives.
As Ronin continues his mission in Cambodia, he represents not just progress but also compassion, intelligence, and the sheer will to create a safer future—one landmine at a time.
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