Rats: Are They Really That Bad?

Do you think rats can save lives? Do you think they can do so much that they get honored by a large statue? Well, they can. A Southern giant pouched rat named Magawa cleared 1.5 million square feet and 100 landmines (a record) before retiring in 2021, and passing away in 2022. He saved countless lives.

HeroRATS are special rats trained to sniff out landmines left behind from past wars. Trained by the Belgium based nonprofit APOPO, they work across the globe in many different countries. Their sharp sense of smell can detect chemicals coming from a mine. The rats are too light to trigger the mines, but when found, a landmine can be removed safely by a human trainer.

Magawa was a very special HeroRAT who not only saved lives, but worked so hard he received a mini medal for his bravery in 2020. Now, he is being honored again, this time with a giant statue. Magawa worked for five years in Cambodia, where the seven foot tall statue now stands. It is great for reminding people about the animals that saved their countries. On April 3, 2026, the statue was finished and ready to be unveiled the next day for International Mine Awareness Day on April 4.

Rats are really fast at scanning the ground. A human with a metal detector might take four days to scan an area the size of a tennis court, but a HeroRAT might take only 20 minutes. So next time you meet a creature, perhaps a small rodent, remember that they can be truly dedicated, and be trusted to help us all.