Africa06 April, 20261 min read
Cambodia Unveils World's First Statue Honoring Hero Landmine-Detecting Rat
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Siem Reap unveiled statue of Magawa, landmine-detecting rat, on April 3, 2026. Magawa detected over 100 landmines and cleared about 141,000 square metres.
Statue Unveiling
Cambodia unveiled the world's first statue dedicated to a landmine-detecting rat. The monument was installed in Siem Reap and unveiled on April 3, 2026.
Carved from local stone and showing Magawa wearing a harness and medal. Senior Minister Ly Thuch said Magawa changed the ground beneath our feet.
Magawa's Life-Saving Work
Magawa began his work in Cambodia in 2016 after training with APOPO. He detected more than 100 landmines and unexploded ordnance. He helped clear over 141,000 square meters of land, roughly 20 football fields.
He could scan an area the size of a tennis court in just 20 minutes. In 2020, he was awarded the PDSA Gold Medal, the first rat to receive it.
Symbol of Hope and Resilience
The statue serves as a symbol of hope and resilience. The base incorporates fragments of decommissioned explosives. Thousands still live or work in contaminated areas.
Cambodia aims to be mine-free by 2030. Other HeroRATs continue to save lives.