this post was submitted on 05 Apr 2026
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A famous mine-clearing rat, who was awarded a gold medal for his heroism, has been commemorated with the world's first statue dedicated to a landmine-detecting rat.

Magawa, who lived to eight years old, sniffed out over 100 landmines and other explosives in Cambodia during his five-year career that started in 2016.

A statue of the rodent carved from local stone by artists was unveiled in Siem Reap, Cambodia on Friday, in time for the International Day for Mine Awareness on 4 April.

Landmines remain an ongoing risk to Cambodia, and more than a million people continue to work and live on land contaminated by mines and unexploded ordnance, according to the United Nations.

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[–] SkaveRat@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 1 hour ago* (last edited 1 hour ago)

Apopo is doing great work

If you can, consider a donation: https://apopo.org/herorats/

Besides landmine sniffing rats, they now also have TB sniffing rats. And are now also training dogs

Edit: They unvailed it on april 4th. Which is apparently world mine awareness day. But also: World Rat Day

[–] ripcord@lemmy.world 8 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

the world's first statue dedicated to a landmine-detecting rat.

Do you think they did real research before claiming this, or just went "yeah, this is a safe bet"

[–] comador@lemmy.world 2 points 1 hour ago* (last edited 1 hour ago)

There's probably another somewhere, but the only bronze rat that'll stay stuck in your head forever is the Pratt Rat

edit: Adding history https://www.instagram.com/reel/CGqkG5dHSMP/