Ronin the Rat Breaks World Record: Detects 109 Landmines, Succeeding HeroRAT Magawa

Ronin, a Gambian pouched rat from Tanzania, has earned a Guinness World Record for his exceptional landmine detection skills. As of April 4, 2025, Ronin has located 109 landmines and 15 unexploded ordnances (UXO) in the Preah Vihear province of Cambodia since August 2021. This achievement marks him as the most successful rat in the history of the Apopo organization, surpassing the record of HeroRAT Magawa, who detected 71 landmines and 38 UXOs during his career. Magawa was awarded the PDSA Gold Medal in 2020 for his life-saving work and passed away in January 2022. Apopo trains these rats, called HeroRATs, to identify the scent of explosives. Working on a leash within a grid, they signal the presence of landmines by scratching at the ground. Ronin's success highlights the significant role of HeroRATs in humanitarian demining efforts. The rats work for only 30 minutes each day during the cooler morning hours, with ample time for rest and play.