A rat who saved lives: Cambodia erects monument to landmine-detecting hero Magawa via pro-bono campaign

Singapore – A new monument honouring a landmine-detection rat has been unveiled in Siem Reap, Cambodia, through a pro bono collaboration between the humanitarian organisation APOPO, advertising agency TBWA\Singapore, and creative partner Kohlective Cambodia.

The 2.2-metre stone monument commemorates Magawa, a rat trained to detect landmines, and was unveiled on 3 April in a ceremony presided over by Ly Thuch, First Vice-President of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority. The monument is located in central Siem Reap, a major tourist hub in Cambodia.

Magawa was trained by APOPO as part of its HeroRATs programme, which deploys African giant pouched rats to detect explosives left behind by war. During his operational career, Magawa helped clear more than 141,000 square metres of land contaminated by landmines and unexploded ordnance, an area roughly equivalent to 20 football pitches.

According to APOPO, Magawa’s detection speed helped improve the efficiency of mine clearance operations, with the rat able to search an area the size of a tennis court in about 30 minutes—work that could take a human using a metal detector up to four days.

Magawa retired in 2022 after several years of service. He became the only rat to receive both a record from Guinness World Records—later surpassed by another HeroRAT named Ronin—and the PDSA Gold Medal, an award recognising animal bravery.

Despite the end of armed conflicts decades ago, millions of landmines remain buried across Cambodia, continuing to pose risks to communities and development.

The monument was carved from local stone by artisans from the Satcha Handicraft Center. The statue depicts Magawa wearing his medal and the harness used during his detection work. Its pedestal, designed in the shape of a landmine, contains fragments of decommissioned explosives.

Located in a central area of Siem Reap, the monument is intended to draw visitors’ attention to APOPO’s nearby centre, where tourists can learn about the training of landmine-detection rats and the ongoing impact of unexploded ordnance in the country.

Peter Khoury, Chief Creative Office Asia at TBWA\Singapore and OA Asia, said the project aimed to highlight the issue through a lasting public installation.

“This project shows how creativity can shape culture, not just communications. By creating something permanent, we’ve helped ensure the landmine crisis remains visible for years to come,” he said.

The unveiling has drawn international media coverage, including reports by BBC, Reuters, and the South China Morning Post. Organisers said the monument seeks to raise awareness about the continued presence of landmines in Cambodia and the role of innovative approaches, such as trained detection rats, in supporting clearance efforts.