Magawa was no ordinary rat. Born in 2013 and passed away in 2022, this African giant pouched rat saved hundreds of lives in Cambodia by sniffing out hidden landmines. On April 3, 2026, a 2.1-meter stone statue of Magawa was unveiled in Siem Reap city, coinciding with International Mine Awareness Day on April 4. Magawa was part of the HeroRATs group, trained by the Belgium-based aid organization APOPO to detect explosive remnants of past wars. These rats are particularly suited for this task due to their incredibly keen sense of smell, which helps them detect the chemical components of explosives. Despite being larger than other rats, they are light enough to walk over buried landmines without triggering them. This combination of size and sense of smell makes them extremely efficient. A single rat can search an area the size of a tennis court in just 20 minutes, a task that would take a person with a metal detector four days. Magawa worked in Cambodia for five years, clearing approximately 140,000 square meters of land and finding over 100 landmines, setting a record. In 2020, Magawa received a mini gold medal from the UK veterinary charity PDSA for his bravery. He retired in 2021 and passed away peacefully in 2022 at the age of eight. Landmines left behind by past wars still pose a threat in Cambodia and some other countries in Southeast Asia, making it dangerous to farm, build homes, or even attend school. However, thanks to the HeroRATs, over 120,000 landmines have been removed so far, allowing the cleared areas to be used for crops, workplaces, and homes again. Did you know that landmines can harm or kill people and animals? HeroRATs are saving many lives by safely detecting landmines. Magawa's story shows how important heroism and bravery are. This small rat made a big difference and saved many lives. Magawa's story will continue to inspire us all.