Cambodia unveils statue to honour famous landmine-sniffing rat

The statue honours the late African giant pouched rat who sniffed out more than 100 landmines during his lifetime.

On April 3, 2026, Cambodia unveiled a monument dedicated to Magawa, the landmine-detecting rat, in Siem Reap. The statue honors Magawa's contributions to clearing over 100 landmines and unexploded ordnance, restoring safe land for local residents and farmers. The event coincided with International Mine Awareness Day on April 4.

A statue honoring Magawa, a mine-detecting rat who saved lives in Cambodia, was unveiled. This marks the first monument dedicated to a heroic rat. Magawa, an African giant pouched rat, detected over 100 landmines and unexploded ordnance in Cambodia. The 2.20-meter statue was revealed on the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. The statue, located near the Angkor temples, aims to attract tourists and raise awareness about the ongoing landmine problem. Magawa died in early 2022 at age eight.

Cambodia unveiled a statue honoring Magawa, the landmine-detecting rat, in Siem Reap province, recognizing his significant contribution to mine clearance efforts.

A carved statue of Magawa, Cambodia’s first demining hero rat, was unveiled in Siem Reap to commemorate his courage and lasting contribution to mine clearance.

A statue of Magawa, the landmine-sniffing rat, was unveiled in Siem Reap, Cambodia, to honor his heroism in detecting over 100 landmines and unexploded ordnance.

Magawa, the landmine-sniffing rat, was honored with a statue in Siem Reap, Cambodia, recognizing his efforts in detecting over 100 landmines and unexploded ordnance.

Cambodia unveiled a statue of Magawa, the landmine-sniffing rat, in Siem Reap to commemorate his contributions to mine detection efforts.

Cambodia unveiled the world’s first statue dedicated to Magawa, a landmine-sniffing rat, as the country marked International Day for Mine Awareness.

A carved statue of Magawa, Cambodia's first demining hero rat, was unveiled in Siem Reap, commemorating his courage and lasting contribution to mine clearance in the country.

Cambodia unveiled the world's first statue dedicated to Magawa, the landmine-sniffing rat, in Siem Reap on April 3, 2026. The statue, carved from local stone, honors Magawa's heroic efforts in detecting over 100 landmines and unexploded ordnance during his five-year career, helping clear more than 141,000 square meters of land.

In Cambodia, a statue was erected in honor of Magawa, the famous rat awarded a gold medal for mine detection, marking the first monument dedicated to a mine-detecting rat.