A giant African rat named Magawa aka Hero Rat on Friday morning, September 25 has bagged a gold medal for his bravery, devotion to lifesaving and diligence on duty.
Trained to detect landmines in Cambodia, Magawa was rewarded for his dedicated service.
According to Independent UK, Magawa was formally presented with the miniature PDSA Gold Medal, which is the animal equivalent of the George Cross.
Magawa, who goes by the name Hero Rat as well, becomes the first-ever rat to receive a PDSA Medal since the charity began honouring animals 77 years ago.
The celebrity rat was trained by Belgium-based animal charity organisation known as APOPO.
The rat has so far discovered 39 landmines spread across 141,000 square metres of land, which is an equivalent of 20 football fields.
Each and every landmine Magawa discovers reduces the risk of injury or death for Cambodia people.
The Cambodian Mine Action Centre reported that Cambodia may be sitting on top of more than six million landmines and other pieces of unexploded ordnance.
As a result, Cambodia has been recording the highest number of mine amputees per capita in the world, with over 40,000 people suffering because of the mines.
With such a huge number, the country now depends on animals such as Magawa who can search an area as big as a tennis court in 30 minutes only.
See more photos of the Hero Rat below:
