Ronin the hero rat sets World Record, sniffs out over 100 landmines in Cambodia

A mine-detecting rat in Cambodia has made history by becoming the first rodent to locate over 100 landmines and explosive remnants of war.

Ronin, an African giant pouched rat, has discovered 109 landmines and 15 unexploded ordnance items since 2021, according to Apopo, the non-profit that trains these animals.

Guinness World Records announced that Ronin now holds the record for the most landmines detected by a rat, highlighting that his "vital work" is significantly contributing to the safety of people in Cambodia.


Ronin, now five years old, is described by his handlers as "dedicated, sociable, and calm."

Apopo has been training rats to detect landmines for almost 30 years. Ronin and other trained rats follow a grid pattern during searches and signal the presence of landmines by scratching the ground. They usually work for about 30 minutes a day and are retired once they reach a certain age.

Cambodia, still bearing the scars of a civil war that ended in 1998, is one of the most heavily landmined countries in the world, with over 1,000 square kilometres of land remaining contaminated. The country also has one of the highest rates of amputees per capita, with over 40,000 people having lost limbs due to explosives.

Before Ronin, the record for most explosives detected was held by Magawa. Over five years, Magawa discovered 71 landmines and 38 unexploded ordnances before retiring in 2021. He was honoured with a bravery medal by the PDSA animal charity for his remarkable service but sadly passed away from old age in January 2022.