Hero Rat Memorial
Cambodian artists and authorities have unveiled the statue of a four-footed hero to the nation, never to be forgotten. During his remarkable life and career, Magawa the African giant pouched rat used his incredible sense of smell to locate 100 landmines and unexploded bombs before they were able to hurt anyone. Because of his aptitude, exceptional even among minesweeping rats, there are 1,5 million square feet of space, equivalent to 20 English football fields, safe for farming and living once again. A UK charity awarded Magawa its ‘Medal of Gallantry’ in 2020 for his incredible work over a 5-year career that started in Africa in 2016. The statue of the beloved ‘Hero Rat’ carved from local stone by artists was unveiled in Siem Reap on April 4th, International Day for Mine Awareness.
One of the world’s great underreported tragedies is how much of the Earth is covered in landmines and unexploded ordinance from past conflicts. This removes productive farmland from use, lying dormant with the potential to kill and maim for decades after being embedded in the ground, their deadly, indiscriminate effects are most often felt among children, who see strange metal objects among the grass and mistake them for toys. Trained to sniff landmines Hero Rats were first deployed to Mozambique, the first nation since the 20th century began to be declared mine-free. Over the course of APOPO’s work the rats it employs (and pampers) have safely located over 106,000 mines. Even though they’re one of the world’s largest rats, they are too small to trigger the detonation of mines.
An APOPO Hero Rat like Magawa 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 to achieve. Dr. Ly Tuch, First Vice President of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority, pulled the curtain off the statue and gave a speech. “The statue we unveil today carries more than form. It carries a message — that even the smallest actor can leave a lasting impact.” The charity also works in other countries affected by war, including Ukraine, South Sudan and Azerbaijan. There are still an estimated four to six million landmines and other exploded munitions buried in Cambodia. More than 60 million people in 59 countries continue to be threatened by landmines and unexploded ordnance.
What do I smell?
Why does the Russian presidential election smell bad?
Cause the winners always pootin’.
What tastes better than it smells?
Your tongue.
Researchers have recently started using lawyers instead of rats in their lab experiments.
You don’t get so attached to them and there are some things a rat just won’t do.
What did the left eye say to the right eye?
Something smells between us.
April 14 Birthdays
1994 – Skyler Samuels, 1933 – Loretta Lynn, 1996 – Abagail Breslin, 1866 – Anne Sullivan
1941 – Pete Rose, 1995 – Adam Di Marco, 1995 – Baker Mayfield, 1974 – Adrian Brody