The rat statue symbolizes the fight against plague in Cambodia
A statue was erected in honor of the famous rat Magava, who achieved great success in mine detection in Cambodia and was awarded a gold medal for heroism. This was reported by Zamin.uz.
BBC reported on this. The rat nicknamed Magava lived for eight years.
From 2016, he actively participated for five years in detecting more than a hundred mines and explosive devices in Cambodia. A statue made of local stone was erected in his honor, and an official unveiling ceremony took place on April 4 — International Mine Awareness Day.
According to the United Nations, mines still pose a serious threat in Cambodia. More than one million people are forced to live and work in areas with unexploded mines.
Magava was trained by the Belgian charity organization Apopo and brought to Cambodia in 2016 to participate in mine detection work. With his keen sense of smell, he detected chemical substances and signaled specialists about the found mines.
After that, the mines were safely destroyed. During his activity, Magava cleared an area of 141,000 square meters, which is approximately equal to twenty football fields.
He could inspect an area the size of a tennis court in just twenty minutes. In 2020, he was awarded the PDSA Gold Medal for “dedication to saving human lives,” becoming the first rat to receive this award.
Due to aging and slowing movements, Magava retired for a short period and passed away in 2022. According to Michael Ryan, Apopo's program manager in Cambodia, Magava’s statue reminds the international community that there is still work to be done here.
The Cambodian government aims to become a mine-free country by 2030. Apopo has been training special rats called “HeroRATs” since the 1990s.
Their small weight does not trigger mines, thus ensuring safety for people. Apopo representatives emphasize that such rats can detect tuberculosis much faster than traditional laboratory methods.
Additionally, they are also used in Tanzania to combat illegal wildlife trade. Another rat trained by Apopo — Ronin, since 2021, has detected 119 mines and fifteen unexploded ordnances, setting a new world record in 2025.
His results in Preah Vihear province even surpassed Magava’s achievements.
BBC reported on this. The rat nicknamed Magava lived for eight years.
From 2016, he actively participated for five years in detecting more than a hundred mines and explosive devices in Cambodia. A statue made of local stone was erected in his honor, and an official unveiling ceremony took place on April 4 — International Mine Awareness Day.
According to the United Nations, mines still pose a serious threat in Cambodia. More than one million people are forced to live and work in areas with unexploded mines.
Magava was trained by the Belgian charity organization Apopo and brought to Cambodia in 2016 to participate in mine detection work. With his keen sense of smell, he detected chemical substances and signaled specialists about the found mines.
After that, the mines were safely destroyed. During his activity, Magava cleared an area of 141,000 square meters, which is approximately equal to twenty football fields.
He could inspect an area the size of a tennis court in just twenty minutes. In 2020, he was awarded the PDSA Gold Medal for “dedication to saving human lives,” becoming the first rat to receive this award.
Due to aging and slowing movements, Magava retired for a short period and passed away in 2022. According to Michael Ryan, Apopo's program manager in Cambodia, Magava’s statue reminds the international community that there is still work to be done here.
The Cambodian government aims to become a mine-free country by 2030. Apopo has been training special rats called “HeroRATs” since the 1990s.
Their small weight does not trigger mines, thus ensuring safety for people. Apopo representatives emphasize that such rats can detect tuberculosis much faster than traditional laboratory methods.
Additionally, they are also used in Tanzania to combat illegal wildlife trade. Another rat trained by Apopo — Ronin, since 2021, has detected 119 mines and fifteen unexploded ordnances, setting a new world record in 2025.
His results in Preah Vihear province even surpassed Magava’s achievements.
