Magawa

Magawa was a Gambian pouched rat renowned for his work detecting landmines and unexploded ordnance in Cambodia. Trained by the APOPO organization, he began his career in 2016 and served for five years, sniffing out over 100 landmines and other explosives. Magawa was awarded a gold medal for his heroism. He lived to the age of eight. Magawa is newsworthy because a statue has been unveiled in Cambodia to commemorate his contributions. The statue, made from local stone, is the world's first dedicated to a landmine-detecting rat. The unveiling ceremony was attended by local politicians and APOPO staff. Magawa's story highlights the ongoing problem of landmines in Cambodia and the innovative use of animals in humanitarian efforts to clear these dangerous explosives, saving lives and enabling safe land use.