Magawa has dedicated her life to saving others, discovering about 71 landmines in Cambodia, as well as other artifacts, for which she’s earned a gold medal. Now she will rest and train the next generation.
Many times heroes are not as we imagine them to be. They aren’t super strong people with cool costumes or possess great skills that allow them to accomplish their missions. Sometimes, they are quite the opposite and can be living beings whom we despise out of ignorance but who still fulfill their mission.
That’s the case of Magawa, the explosive mine detector rat, who after performing her risky job for 7 consecutive years, will finally be able to retire.
APOPO
This gold-medal winner for her hard work, awarded by the PDSA, managed to find 71 landmines and 28 unexploded ordnance in Cambodia. A tough job that put her life at risk. Even though she’s a rat, her life also has great value.
That is why the charity APOPO, which was in charge of her training, thought it was time for her to retire. It is worth noting that thanks to her intensive training, this rodent can find explosives 96 times faster than with conventional forms.
PDSA
Her work allowed many people to walk safely and to be able to step in certain areas again without the fear of losing a limb or life.
APOPO
Now, Magawa will remain at the charity headquarters in Tanzania, where she’ll be in charge of training the next generation of rats. Her caregiver Malen is very proud of her work but asked that they respect her needs.
“Magawa’s performance has been unbeaten, and I have been proud to work side-by-side with him. He is small but he has helped save many lives allowing us to return much-needed safe land back to our people as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.”
–-Malen, trainer and caretaker told the BBC–
To work as a mine detector, she needed to pass a blind test, in which she searched for improvised mines in a 400-square-meter space. However, now her body has slowed down, and walking long distances tires her out.
PDSA
That is why they do not want to risk her life. On the contrary, they want to take advantage of the time she has left so that she can pass on her knowledge while thanking her for doing such a great job. It isn’t an easy job to be in charge of dealing with explosive products, but she did it very well.
PDSA