Meet Ronin, the rat setting world records and saving lives

Now five years old, Ronin has been described as “hardworking, friendly, and relaxed” by the Apopo team. His extraordinary efforts have brought safety and hope to people living in areas once threatened by the dangers of war remnants, allowing them to go about their daily routines without the constant fear of a fatal misstep.

“Ronin’s success likely comes from his sharp focus, strong work ethic and love of problem-solving. His intelligence and natural curiosity help him stay engaged. Finding landmines is like a fun game to him and no two days are the same,” Apopo spokesperson Lily Shalom said.

For nearly three decades, Apopo has been training rats to detect landmines, and Ronin is one of their standout trainees. Like other rats, Ronin is trained to search in a grid pattern and alert handlers to landmines by scratching the ground. They typically work for 30 minutes each day and retire once they reach a certain age, the report stated.

Before Ronin, the record for detecting the most explosives was held by Magawa, another rat trained by Apopo. Magawa, who retired in 2021, uncovered 71 landmines and 38 unexploded ordnances during his five years of service. He was honoured with a bravery medal by the PDSA animal charity for his contributions but sadly passed away from old age in January 2022. Now, Ronin is carrying on this important work, continuing to make Cambodia safer for its citizens.