Meet Ronin, the rat that’s making history
In a world where landmines and unexploded ordnance claim thousands of lives, a small hero has emerged. Ronin, a giant African pouched rat, has detected over 100 landmines and unexploded ordnance in Cambodia, earning a spot in the record books.
Ronin’s journey began in 2021, when he was trained by the non-profit organization Apopo to sniff out explosives. With his keen sense of smell, he can detect the chemicals used in landmines and other explosives. His small size and light weight make him the perfect candidate for this job, as he won’t trigger the explosives.
In just two years, Ronin has detected 109 landmines and 15 unexploded ordnance, making him the first rat to achieve this feat. His work has made a significant difference in the lives of people living in areas littered with landmines. According to Guinness World Records, Ronin’s work has helped create a safer environment for those who live in fear of stepping on a landmine every day.
Apopo, which has 104 rats in its program, calls them “HeroRATS.” These rats are trained to detect tuberculosis and other diseases, in addition to explosives. They can cover an area the size of a tennis court in just 30 minutes, a task that would take a human with a metal detector four days to complete.
Ronin’s achievement has broken the record previously held by Magawa, a rat that detected 71 landmines and received a gold medal for bravery in 2020. Apopo’s work has resulted in the removal of over 169,713 landmines and unexploded ordnance worldwide, with over 52,000 of them in Cambodia. The organization also works in other countries affected by war, including Ukraine, South Sudan, and Azerbaijan.
Source: BBC