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Giant statue of hero rat built in Cambodia

a statue of magawa wearing his harness and medalReuters

Magawa's statue includes his special harness and his PDSA Gold Medal.

A giant statue of a heroic rat has been unveiled in Cambodia.

The statue has been built in honour of Magawa, a famous African giant pouched rat with a medal-winning "amazing sense of smell".

Magawa was part of a specially trained team of rats, who sniff out dangerous landmines and explosives to help make areas of land safer for the people that live there.

Since Magawa started his work in 2016, he successfully sniffed out and cleared more than 100 landmines and explosives from 141,000 square metres of land.

He was even awarded a Gold Medal by the PDSA animal charity for his "life-saving devotion to duty" - the first ever medal in the charity's history for a rat.

Magawa wearing his medal back in 2020PA Media

Magawa was awarded his PDSA Gold Medal back in 2020

The country of Cambodia has seen decades of conflict, which has left the ground littered with hidden dangerous explosives.

To this day there are still thought to be millions of landmines in the country and they can be set off by pressure, such as the weight of a human walking.

Magawa was part of a team that used its sniffing skills to find these mines so they could be removed.

Even though African giant pouched rats are one of the world's largest species of rats, they are too small and light to cause the mines or explosives to go off, and are thought to be safer and quicker than humans or dogs.

Magawa passed away in 2022 after five years of service working for the charity Apopo.

"We are grateful for the incredible work he's done," the charity said in a statement.

His "amazing sense of smell" allowed "communities in Cambodia to live, work, and play; without fear"

statue of magawa by a river bankAFP

Magawa's statue stands near to a river bank in Siem Reap, in Cambodia

The statue of Magawa was carved from local stone by artists and unveiled in Siem Reap, in Cambodia, on International Day for Mine Awareness, on 4 April.

At a special ceremony and Dr Ly Tuch, the First Vice President of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority gave a speech.

"Before us stands Magawa—a small creature, yet one who changed the ground beneath our feet," a translation of his speech says.

"Each detection meant a space returned to life. Each cleared area meant children walking safely, farmers working freely, communities rebuilding without hesitation."

"The statue we unveil today carries more than form. It carries a message - that even the smallest creature can leave a lasting impact."