Not all heroes wear capes; some wear tiny harnesses and sniff out danger. With the quiet courage of real-life `Stuart Little` and the quick-witted charm of Jerry, Cambodia found its own unlikely hero, Magawa—a tiny creature whose extraordinary bravery and life-saving skills did not just win hearts but also etched his name in history, proving that even the smallest creatures can make the biggest difference.
Now, that legacy has been set in stone and a statue of Magawa, the world-famous mine-detecting rat, has been installed in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The sculpture was unveiled on April 3, 2026, just ahead of the International Day for Mine Awareness, according to an AFP report.
🇰🇭 Cambodia unveils statue for mine-sniffing hero rat
Cambodia unveils a statue of the landmine-hunting rat, Magawa, the only rat ever awarded the PDSA Gold Medal for animal bravery. pic.twitter.com/GqZrFCs3lz
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) April 9, 2026
The heroics of the hero-rat
Magawa was no ordinary rodent. He was an African giant pouched rat trained to detect landmines—a deadly threat that still lingers across Cambodia after decades of war. He was trained by APOPO to detect chemicals found in explosives. Each time he successfully found a landmine, he was rewarded with treats such as bananas and peanuts, which were his favourites.
Using his sharp sense of smell, Magawa would signal the presence of explosives by scratching the ground, helping deminers locate them safely. He was incredibly efficient, able to search an area the size of a tennis court in just 30 minutes—a task that would take up to four days with traditional metal detectors.
During his service, Magawa cleared around 225,000 square metres of land, roughly the size of 42 football fields. He successfully detected 71 landmines and 38 unexploded ordnance (UXOs), helping make dangerous areas safe for local communities, reported AFP.
During his service, Magawa cleared around 225,000 square metres of land, roughly the size of 42 football fields. He successfully detected 71 landmines and 38 unexploded ordnance (UXO), helping make dangerous areas safe for local communities, AFP reported.
In September 2020, Magawa was awarded a prestigious bravery medal by the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), often considered the animal equivalent of Britain’s highest civilian honour. He became the first rat in the award’s 77-year history to receive this recognition, joining a group of heroic animals that includes dogs, cats and even a pigeon.
His work not only saved lives but also allowed land to be reused for farming and living. His efforts earned him global recognition and a gold medal for heroism. After retiring in 2021, Magawa died in 2022 at the age of eight, but his legacy continues to inspire.
Tribute carved in stone
The statue in Siem Reap shows Magawa wearing his harness and medal—a simple yet powerful reminder of his service. It stands as a tribute to his life and the role animals can play in humanitarian work, according to the AFP report.
The unveiling also aimed to raise awareness about the ongoing danger of landmines, especially ahead of International Mine Awareness Day.
A country still healing
Cambodia’s reliance on these “HeroRats” is rooted in its difficult past. Decades of conflict, beginning in the 1960s and ending in 1998, left the country heavily contaminated with landmines and unexploded weapons.
Even today, these hidden dangers continue to claim lives and cause injuries. Thousands have been affected over the years, and tragic incidents still occur, showing how urgent the problem remains.
Although Cambodia aimed to become mine-free by 2025, the deadline has now been extended due to funding challenges and newly discovered minefields, the news agency reported.
MAGAWA – A symbol of hope!
Magawa’s story is not just about one animal; it represents hope, resilience and innovation in the face of danger. Trained by the Belgian organisation APOPO, he became one of the most successful “HeroRats” in history. His statue now stands as a reminder that solutions to big problems can come in unexpected forms, not always requiring complex technology or millions.
(With AFP Inputs)