Ronin the Rat: heroic Rodent Sets Landmine Detection Record in Cambodia
Published: October 30, 2024
In a remarkable achievement, Ronin, a five-year-old African giant pouched rat working in Cambodia, has become the first rodent to detect more than 100 landmines and other risky remnants of war. As of late October 2024, the heroic rat has uncovered a staggering 109 landmines and 15 pieces of unexploded ordnance (UXO) since beginning his service in 2021, according to Apopo, the tanzania-based charity that trains these specialized animals.
ronin’s work is particularly vital in Cambodia, a nation still grappling with the devastating legacy of nearly two decades of civil war, which concluded in 1998.Millions of unexploded munitions continue to pose a daily threat to the population,hindering development and claiming lives. The presence of these hidden dangers instills constant fear, turning fertile land into hazardous zones.
The Guinness Book of World records has recognized Ronin’s groundbreaking achievement,emphasizing the profound impact of his work. They stated that Ronin’s “crucial work” is making a real difference to people who have had to live with the “fear that one misstep while going about their day-to-day lives could be their last.” This recognition underscores the importance of innovative approaches to humanitarian demining.
The HeroRAT Program: A Novel Approach to Demining
Apopo, an institution based in Tanzania, calls its rodent recruits “HeroRATS.” The organization currently employs 104 of these exceptional animals.
These rats are meticulously trained to identify the chemical compounds present in landmines and other abandoned weapons. Their small size is a crucial advantage, as they are too light to trigger the detonation of the mines. This allows them to safely and efficiently survey areas that would be too dangerous for humans to traverse without specialized equipment and extensive precautions.
The efficiency of these HeroRATS is remarkable. According to Apopo, a rat can search an area the size of a tennis court in approximately 30 minutes. In contrast, a human using a metal detector could spend up to four days clearing the same area. This speed is crucial in accelerating the demining process and returning land to productive use.
Beyond landmine detection, Apopo’s HeroRATS are also trained to detect tuberculosis (TB). The rats can analyze sputum samples far more quickly than traditional laboratory microscopy,allowing for faster diagnosis and treatment of this infectious disease,which commonly affects the lungs. This dual functionality makes the HeroRAT program a versatile tool for addressing critical humanitarian challenges.
The training process for these HeroRATS is rigorous, typically taking about a year to complete. The rats undergo extensive socialization and habituation training to ensure they are comfortable working in various environments. They are then trained to associate the scent of explosives with a reward, creating a positive reinforcement loop that motivates them to seek out landmines.
Impact and Future of Demining Efforts
since Apopo began its operations 25 years ago, the organization reports it has cleared a total of 169,713 landmines and other explosives globally. Of these, more than 52,000 were cleared in Cambodia. The charity is actively involved in demining efforts in other war-torn regions, including Ukraine, south Sudan, and azerbaijan.
Despite these critically important achievements, the challenge remains immense. According to the Landmine Monitor, an estimated four to six million landmines and other unexploded munitions are still buried in Cambodia. This staggering number highlights the urgent need for continued demining efforts and the importance of innovative solutions like the HeroRAT program.
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | APOPO (Tanzania-based charity) |
| Name | ronin |
| Achievement | First rat to detect over 100 landmines and UXO |
| Mines/UXO Found | 109 Landmines / 15 UXO (as of October 2024) |
| HeroRATs Employed | 104 |
| Training Time | Approximately 1 year |
| Area Clearance Rate | Tennis court size in 30 minutes (vs. 4 days for humans) |
| Additional Skill | Tuberculosis (TB) detection |
