In the war-torn fields of Cambodia, where hidden landmines still claim lives decades after conflicts have ended, an unlikely hero is making history. Ronin, a five-year-old African giant pouched rat, has officially broken the world record for the most landmines detected by a single animal 109 explosives and 15 unexploded ordnances (UXOs) uncovered in just three and a half years.
Trained by APOPO, a Belgian nonprofit specializing in animal detection, Ronin isn’t just a rat he’s a highly skilled demining specialist. His work in Sror Aem, Preah Vihear province, has cleared dangerous terrain, allowing displaced communities to return safely. And at just five years old, he’s still in his prime, with two more years of service before retirement.
“Ronin is exceptional fast, focused, and fearless,” says an APOPO handler. “He’s not just saving lives; he’s rewriting what’s possible in mine clearance.”
The Science Behind a HeroRAT’s Super Sniffer
Why Rats? The Perfect Demining Partners
Unlike metal detectors that detect every piece of buried metal, Ronin and the other HeroRATs have been trained to identify only the chemical composition of explosives, not harmless trash.
- Lightweight but Powerful: At 3 pounds (1.4 kg), Ronin is too light to detonate mines but heavy enough to blanket large areas.
- Blazing Speed: He has the capacity to clear a tennis court area within 30 minutes, a job that will take a human deminer 1-4 days.
- Unmatched Accuracy: His 98% detection rate minimizes false alarms, making clearance operations far more efficient.
Training a Mine-Detecting Superstar
Ronin started life in Tanzania, where APOPO’s breeding and training program teaches rats from infancy to be expert sniffers.”.
- Puppy Socialization Phase (0-4 weeks): Handlers expose baby rats to human interaction, ensuring they’re comfortable around people.
- Scent Association (5-12 weeks): They come to associate the scent of TNT with reward foods (most commonly mashed bananas or peanuts).
- Field Simulations (6-12 months): Rats train in simulated minefields, perfecting their craft before they are dispatched.
“These rats are pros by the time they hit the field,” a trainer for APOPO explains. “They’re more professional than most humans.”
Cambodia’s Hidden War: A Land Still Scarred by Mines
The Deadly Legacy of Conflict
Cambodia remains one of the most heavily mined countries in the world, with an estimated 4-6 million landmines still buried. Decades after the Khmer Rouge regime and civil wars, unexploded ordnance (UXO) kills or injures dozens each year many of them children.
- Highest Amputation Rate: Cambodia boasts more mine amputees per capita than any other country.
- Decades of Danger: Since 1979, more than 64,000 casualties have been reported.
Ronin’s Impact: Clearing the Path Home
Families in Sror Aem commune, where Ronin is employed, have been unable to plant or construct securely for generations. His record-breaking detection work has:
- Acquired more than 2.4 million square feet of property (40 football fields).
- Avoided innumerable deaths and injuries.
- Allowed displaced villagers to return and reconstruct.
“Before Ronin, we were unable to walk freely,” remarks a local farmer. “Now, children can play freely.”
The Rat That Outperformed Humans And Even Machines
Why Metal Detectors Aren’t Enough
Classic demining uses metal detectors, which:
- Mark each scrap metal piece, hindering advancement.
- Miss plastic-cased mines, which have minimal metal.
- Place human deminers in continuous danger.
Ronin’s Edge: Speed, Safety, and Precision
- 100% Non-Metallic Detection: His nose detects TNT vapor, not metal.
- Zero False Alarms: Unlike machines, he ignores bullet casings and debris.
- Lightning-Fast Clearance: A single rat team can clear a minefield in weeks instead of months.
“A human might miss a mine. Ronin won’t,” says an APOPO field officer.
From Magawa to Ronin: A Legacy of HeroRATs
The Original Record-Holder: Magawa (2016-2022)
Before Ronin, another APOPO rat, Magawa, held the record with 71 landmines and 38 UXOs detected. His work in Cambodia earned him a PDSA Gold Medal, the animal equivalent of the George Cross.
- Cleared over 2.4 million sq ft of land.
- Retired in 2021, handing the reins over to Ronin.
- Passed away at age 8, with a legacy of lives saved.
Ronin’s Rise: A New Generation of Demining Rats
Now, Ronin commands APOPO’s 100-member HeroRAT team, which operates in:
- Cambodia
- Angola
- South Sudan
- Ukraine (newly deployed in 2024)
“Megawa was the trailblazer. Ronin is demonstrating that the next generation is even greater,” APOPO CEO Christophe Cox explains.
The Future: Can Rats End the Global Landmine Crisis?
110 Million Mines Remain But There’s Hope
Despite decades of clearance efforts, 60+ countries still have active minefields. APOPO’s goal? Eliminate landmines worldwide within our lifetime.
How You Can Help
- Sponsor a HeroRAT (training costs ~$6,000 per rat).
- Donate to APOPO’s demining missions.
- Spread awareness about the ongoing danger of landmines.
“Ronin isn’t just a rat, he’s proof that even the smallest heroes can change the world,” says Cox.
Final Thought: A Tiny Hero with a Giant Impact
In a world where wars leave behind silent killers, Ronin the Rat is more than a record-breaker, he’s a lifesaver, a trailblazer, and a beacon of hope. And as long as landmines lie in wait below the earth, he and his fellow HeroRATs will keep sniffing them out. step by step.
Sources & Further Reading:
- Smithsonian Magazine: “Super-Sniffing Rat Sets a New World Record”
- APOPO’s HeroRAT Program
- Guinness World Records: Ronin’s Achievement
Jan loves Wildlife and Animals and is one of the founders of Animals Around The Globe. He holds an MSc in Finance & Economics and is a passionate PADI Open Water Diver. His favorite animals are Mountain Gorillas, Tigers, and Great White Sharks. He lived in South Africa, Germany, the USA, Ireland, Italy, China, and Australia. Before AATG, Jan worked for Google, Axel Springer, BMW and others.
