A giant rat has been awarded a medal for its outstanding “dedication, skill and bravery” that helped save innocent lives from a painful death.
Magawa is an African giant pouched rat that was trained by APOPO, a not-for-profit organization that specializes in training the giant rodents to detect landmines and explosive devices. In addition, the hardworking rats are taught to sniff out tuberculosis in humans.
As for Magawa, he represents the biggest hero the charity has to offer whereas the hardworking rodent already discovered 39 landmines and 28 unexploded explosive ordnance.
After clearing nearly 35 acres of land and saving countless lives in the process, Magawa has been awarded the PDSA Gold Medal, a medal awarded to animals for their bravery and devotion.
“To receive this medal is really an honor for us. I have been working with APOPO for over 20 years,” Christophe Cox, the APOPO chief executive, told the PA News Agency.
“Especially for our animal trainers who are waking up every day, very early, to train those animals in the morning.
“But also it is big for the people in Cambodia, and all the people around the world who are suffering from landmines. The PDSA Gold Medal award brings the problem of landmines to global attention.”
As the chief executive insisted, giant pouched rats excel at detecting explosives due to their intelligence and the ability to move around minefields swiftly and safely thanks to their small size.
Praising Magawa the hero rat was also PDSA director general Jan McLoughlin who dubbed the work that APOPO does “truly unique and outstanding.”
“Cambodia estimates that between four and six million landmines were laid in the country between 1975 and 1998, which have sadly caused over 64,000 casualties,” he said.
“Magawa’s work directly saves and changes the lives of men, women and children who are impacted by these landmines. Every discovery he makes reduces the risk of injury or death for local people.
“The PDSA Animal Awards program seeks to raise the status of animals in society and honor the incredible contribution they make to our lives.
“Magawa’s dedication, skill and bravery are an extraordinary example of this and deserve the highest possible recognition. We are thrilled to award him the PDSA Gold Medal.”
Replaced!