A five-year-old African giant pouched rat named Ronin has detected 109 landmines and 15 unexploded ordnance items since his deployment in August 2021, according to a statement released Friday by Belgian non-profit APOPO.
Ronin operates in northern Preah Vihear province and has become APOPO’s most successful Mine Detection Rat (MDR) to date. His detection record surpasses that of Magawa, the previous record-holder, who located 71 landmines and 38 unexploded ordnance items during a five-year career.
Meet #Ronin, APOPO’s record-breaking rat. He holds a Guinness World Record title for the most landmines detected by a rat. Support Ronin’s mission.
Adopt a HeroRAT: https://t.co/Ch9LjXwaq7#MineAwarenessDay #WorldRatDay #SavingLives #GuinnessWorldRecord #APOPO pic.twitter.com/B1UBcolt2J
— APOPO (@herorats) April 4, 2025
The Guinness World Records recognized Ronin for the highest number of landmines detected by a rat. APOPO confirmed that Ronin is expected to continue working for at least two more years.
APOPO, headquartered in Tanzania, trains African giant pouched rats to detect explosive materials. The rats are trained using clicker-based positive reinforcement and are deployed in grid systems to scratch at the ground when they detect landmines. Due to their light weight, the rats do not trigger the mines during detection. Each rat works for approximately 30 minutes per day.
The first stage of a #HeroRATs training is #socialization to humans and #habituation to various environments – this training begins when young rat pups first open their eyes at around 4-5 weeks old. #heropups #curiosity #futureheroes #exploring #APOPO pic.twitter.com/YHHgNDDmoe
— APOPO (@herorats) April 2, 2025
Cambodia is among the most heavily mined countries in the world following over three decades of conflict that ended in 1998. According to the Landmine Monitor 2024 report, an estimated four to six million landmines and other unexploded mu`nitions remain buried in the country. Since 1979, landmines have caused approximately 20,000 deaths and 45,000 injuries. In 2023, 32 landmine-related casualties were reported.
APOPO reports that since its founding 25 years ago, it has cleared 169,713 landmines and unexploded items worldwide, including more than 52,000 in Cambodia. The organization also operates in Ukraine, South Sudan, and Azerbaijan.
Cambodia initially targeted becoming mine-free by 2025, but the deadline has been extended to 2030 due to funding limitations and newly discovered minefields along the Thai border.
APOPO currently has 104 trained HeroRATs. In addition to mine detection, the rats are also trained to detect tuberculosis in medical samples.
