African Giant Rat Earns Global Recognition for Saving Lives

HeroRAT Ronin, an African giant pouched rat, has secured a place in the Guinness World Records as the most successful mine-detection rat in history.

Adam Millward, Managing Editor at Guinness World Records, commended the extraordinary impact of APOPO’s HeroRATs, their trainers, and caretakers. He emphasized that Ronin’s record-setting accomplishment showcases the incredible outcomes possible through collaboration between humans and animals.

The recognition aligns with two globally observed events — the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, and World Rat Day — both celebrated annually on April 4.

Since beginning operations in Cambodia’s Preah Vihear Province in August 2021, Ronin has located 109 landmines and 15 unexploded ordnance (UXOs), surpassing the previous record held by HeroRAT Magawa, who found 71 landmines and 38 UXOs over five years.

Ronin’s handler, Phanny, described his contributions as a powerful demonstration of the effectiveness of positive reinforcement training, calling him “a trusted partner and invaluable team member.”

At five years old, Ronin now holds the title of the most accomplished Mine Detection Rat (MDR) in APOPO’s history. APOPO, a non-profit headquartered in Morogoro, Tanzania, has spent over 25 years training African pouched rats to detect landmines and tuberculosis, helping to reclaim vast areas of land around the globe.