In this undated photo issued by the PDSA, People's Dispensary for Sick Animals, Cambodian landmine detection rat, Magawa is photographed wearing his PDSA Gold Medal, the animal equivalent of the George Cross, in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Magawa passed away in early Jan. 2022, said an announcement on the website of APOPO, a Belgium-headquartered non-profit group. The organization trains rats and dogs to sniff out land mines and tuberculosis. (PDSA via AP, File)
By Sopheng Cheang
A land mine-detecting rat in Cambodia who received a prestigious award for his life-saving duty has died in retirement, the charity for which he had worked has announced.
Magawa, an African giant pouched rat, passed away last weekend, said an announcement on the website of APOPO, a Belgium-headquartered non-profit group. The organization trains rats and dogs to sniff out land mines and tuberculosis.
“All of us at APOPO are feeling the loss of Magawa and we are grateful for the incredible work he’s done,” the announcement said. Magawa was born in November 2013 in Tanzania, where APOPO maintains its operational headquarters and training and breeding center. He was sent to Cambodia in 2016.
The death of Magawa was announced a day after three mine removal experts working for another group were killed by an accidental explosion of an anti-tank mine in Cambodia’s northern province of Preah Vihear. Almost three decades of civil war that ended in 1998 left Cambodia littered with land mines and other unexploded ordnance that continues to kill and maim.
APOPO’s office in Cambodia posted condolences for the three dead and one wounded from the Cambodia Self Help Demining group.
According to APOPO, Magawa detected more than 100 land mines and other explosives during his five-year career before retiring last year.
“His contribution allows communities in Cambodia to live, work, and play without fear of losing life or limb,” said the group. In 2020, the rat also won a gold medal from the Britain-based People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals, considered the highest award for gallantry an animal can receive.
African giant pouched rats are believed to be especially well-suited for land mine clearance because their small size lets them walk across mine fields without triggering the explosives.
In retirement in Cambodia’s northwestern province of Siem Reap, Magawa was housed in his usual cage, and fed the same food — mostly fresh fruit and vegetables — that sustained him during his active career. To keep him trim, he was released for 20-30 minutes a day into a larger cage with facilities such as a sandbox and a running wheel. His death at 8 years of age was not unusual for the species.
Two murder trials in focus in America — Wisconsin V. Kyle Rittenhouse and Georgia V. Travis Mcmichael, Gregory Mcmichael, and William Bryan, the Men who killed Ahmaud Arbery. Civil rights and criminal defense lawyer Anthony Tall and the Founder and CEO of Kim Crowder consulting Kim Crowder, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
Mike Johnson, an alum of both "The Bachelorette" and "Bachelor in Paradise," joined Cheddar's "Between Bells" to talk about life after being part of the reality TV franchise, what it's like watching the new season as a viewer, and once again closed the door on the chance that he would return for another stint. He also provided some background on a new partnership with PepsiCo's Neon Zebra beverage.
Protect The Sacred is an organization aiming to educate and empower the next generation of Native leaders. Allie Young, the founder of the organization, joins Cheddar News' All Hands to discuss how she's helping communities amid the Covid-19 pandemic and her initiative called Ride to the Polls.
The holiday season is here and it’s time to prepare your home for a season of cozy hibernating and cheery holiday hosting. David Steckel, Home Expert at Thumbtack, joins 'Your Future Home' to discuss how maximizing where we live, work, and play has taken on a whole new meaning, and now we’re investing in our homes like never before.
On this episode of 'Your Future Home', Howard Dvorkin, CPA and Chairman of Debt.com, breaks down everything you need to know about buying a home as an unmarried couple or any partner; The holiday season is here and it’s time to prepare your home for a season of cozy hibernating and cheery holiday hosting. David Steckel, Home Expert at Thumbtack, discusses how maximizing where we live, work, and play has taken on a whole new meaning, and now we’re investing in our homes like never before; Cheddar breaks down everything you need to know about identifying and getting rid of clutter in your home.
Howard Dvorkin, CPA and Chairman of Debt.com, joins 'Your Future Home' to break down everything you need to know about buying a home as an unmarried couple or with any partner.
On this episode of ChedHER: Founding Partner of Space Hero explains how she's creating a global competition to send someone on a 10-day trip to space; Founder of My Social Canvas and Boss Beauties discusses the significance of the Boss Beauties NFTs being displayed at the New York Stock Exchange; Head of Digital Products & Channels at Chase breaks down small steps to improve your finances.
Deborah Sass, CO-CEO and Founding Partner of Space Hero, joins ChedHER to discuss how she's creating a global competition to send someone on a 10-day trip to space, her experience in the space industry without a background in STEM, and how she hopes to inspire younger generations of women.
Lisa Mayer, Founder of My Social Canvas and Boss Beauties, joins ChedHER to discuss the significance of the Boss Beauties NFTs being displayed at the New York Stock Exchange, and how she hopes to empower the next generation of women in the NFT and crypto space.
Sonali Divilek, Head of Digital Products & Channels at Chase, joins ChedHER to discuss what consumers can learn from the Chase Challenge, and easy ways that people can tidy up their finances this holiday season.
