Magawa the landmine detection rat given gold medal for bravery








Their size means they are in less danger when they walk through landmine fields.

The rats are trained to detect a chemical compound within explosives and require a year of training before they are certified. They work for around half an hour a day, in the early morning. Once they detect a landmine, they scratch the top, which alerts their human handlers.

Magawa, who is now nearing retirement age, can search the area of a tennis court in 30 minutes, something that would take a human with a metal detector up to four days.

PDSA director general Jan McLoughlin said: “The work of Magawa and APOPO is truly unique and outstanding.

“Cambodia estimates that between 4m and 6m landmines were laid in the country between 1975 and 1998, which have sadly caused over 64,000 casualties.



A virtual presentation for Magawa will take place on Friday.