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Countries allocate large budgets for detecting landmines on their territories, but sometimes, a small creature takes on this dangerous task for free.

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On Friday, a charity organization announced that a rat had set a new world record by discovering over 100 landmines in Cambodia, an Asian country still heavily contaminated with war remnants after decades of civil conflict.

The Belgian charity “APOPO” stated in a press release that the rat, named “Ronin”, had detected 109 deadly landmines and 15 other explosive devices since being deployed to the northern province of Preah Vihear in August 2021.

“Ronin”, five years old, was named the most successful mine-detection rat in the organization’s history.

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In the Guinness World Records

APOPO noted that “his extraordinary achievements earned him a title in the Guinness World Records, highlighting the vital role these rodents play in humanitarian demining.”

“Ronin” broke the previous record held by a rat named “Magawa”, who discovered 71 landmines and 38 unexploded ordnances during his five-year service before retiring in 2021.

The rat passed away the following year after receiving the gold medal for heroism, having cleared nearly 225,000 square meters of land—equivalent to 42 football fields.

“Ronin” still has two or more years of work ahead in mine detection, according to APOPO.

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Cambodia remains heavily contaminated with ammunition and abandoned weapons from civil wars that began in the 1960s and lasted until 1998.

According to official figures, around 20,000 people have died from unexploded landmines and other old military devices since 1979, with twice that number injured.

In February, two two-year-old children were killed in Cambodia when a grenade—likely buried since the civil war—exploded near their home in Siem Reap province in the northwest.

Cambodia had aimed to completely clear its territory of landmines by 2025, but was forced to delay the deadline by five years due to funding shortages and the discovery of new mine-contaminated areas along the Thai border.

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