Giant Rats Are Revolutionizing Land Mine Detection in Cambodia

In the quiet fields of Cambodia, a unique team of animals is helping to clear the deadly remnants of war—giant rats with an extraordinary sense of smell.

While the idea of using rats for land mine detection might seem unusual, these African giant pouched rats, which can grow up to 45 centimeters long and weigh up to 1.5 kilograms, have proven to be invaluable in the fight against land mines. Their keen sense of smell allows them to detect the scent of TNT, the explosive material used in most land mines, making them a key asset in Cambodia’s demining efforts.

"I have always found mines and they have never skipped a single one," said Mott Sreymom, a rat handler with APOPO, a humanitarian demining organization. "I really trust these mine detection rats." Mott works daily with the rats in the Siem Reap province, where the animals help clear land that has been contaminated with explosive remnants of war.

Since the end of Cambodia’s decades-long conflict, the country has faced the daunting challenge of clearing land mines that have claimed thousands of lives and injured many more. According to a 2004 survey by the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), over 4,500 square kilometers of land were contaminated, affecting all 25 provinces and nearly half of the country’s 14,000 villages.

Despite the challenges, progress has been made. As of 2018, CMAA reported that 1,970 square kilometers of land remained uncleared. APOPO, along with other organizations, has been working tirelessly to clear these areas. Since demining officially began in 1992, more than 1.1 million mines and approximately 2.9 million other explosive remnants have been removed, according to a 2022 government report.

"Dogs and rats are better compared to other animals because they are trainable," said Alberto Zacarias, a field supervisor for APOPO’s dog teams. "They are also friendly and easily learn commands." While dogs are also used, the rats have their own advantages. They are lighter, so they are less likely to trigger mines, and their sense of smell is highly developed, making them ideal for this dangerous work.

Mott, who has worked with the rats for years, describes them as more than just animals. "We work with them almost daily, so we get closer," she said. "They are very friendly and they don’t move around and get scared. They are like family." This bond between handler and rat is a key factor in the success of the demining teams.

With the help of these remarkable creatures, Cambodia is slowly reclaiming its land and ensuring a safer future for its people.