This handout photo taken on November 20, 2024 and released by Belgian charity APOPO on April 4, 2025 shows a rat named Ronin sniffing in Preah Vihear province. A landmine-hunting rat in Cambodia has set a new world record by sniffing out more than 100 mines and pieces of unexploded ordnance, a charity said April 4, 2025. (Photo by Handout / APOPO / AFP) / -----EDITORS NOTE --- RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / APOPO" - NO MARKETING - NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS
A giant African pouched rat named Ronin has made history in Cambodia by detecting a record-breaking 109 landmines and 15 pieces of unexploded ordnance, the Belgian charity APOPO announced on Friday, April 4, 2025.
Since his deployment in Preah Vihear province in August 2021, Ronin has emerged as the most successful Mine Detection Rat (MDR) in APOPO’s history, earning a Guinness World Records title for his extraordinary contribution to humanitarian demining.
“His exceptional accomplishments highlight the critical role of HeroRats in saving lives and restoring land,” APOPO stated. The five-year-old rodent surpassed the previous record set by Magawa, another celebrated African pouched rat who found 71 mines and 38 UXOs before retiring in 2021. Magawa was awarded a gold medal for bravery before passing away in 2022.
Ronin’s handler, Phanny, described him not just as a working animal but as a “valued partner and colleague,” noting his sharp instincts and unwavering performance. According to APOPO, Ronin is expected to continue demining operations for another two years or more.
Cambodia’s Deadly Legacy
Cambodia remains one of the most heavily mined countries in the world due to decades of conflict dating back to the 1960s. Despite peace returning in 1998, the remnants of war still claim lives. Over 20,000 people have died from landmine incidents since 1979, with over 40,000 injured. Just this February, two toddlers were killed in Siem Reap province by a buried RPG.
Although Cambodia initially aimed to be mine-free by 2025, the government has extended the deadline to 2030, citing funding issues and newly discovered minefields near the Thai border.
