Weighing up to 1.5 kilograms and reaching lengths of 45 centimeters, the African giant pouched rats deployed in Cambodia are specially trained to identify TNT—the main component in many landmines and explosive remnants of war. The rats, managed by the international non-profit APOPO, navigate minefields quickly and safely, scratching the ground to alert their handlers to the presence of explosives.

Mine handler Mott Sreymom, who works in Siem Reap, said the rats have never missed a single mine during her field operations. “While working with these rats, I have always found mines and they have never skipped a single one,” she told reporters. Her confidence reflects the broader success of APOPO’s rat detection teams, which have gained recognition for accelerating demining efforts in post-conflict countries.

Cambodia’s Lingering Mine Legacy

Cambodia remains one of the most heavily mined countries in the world, a legacy of three decades of conflict involving civil war, foreign intervention, and internal political violence. A 2004 survey by the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) identified over 4,500 square kilometers of contaminated land, spanning all 25 provinces and impacting nearly half the country's villages. As of 2018, around 1,970 square kilometers still required clearance.

Since formal demining efforts began in 1992, Cambodia has cleared more than 1.1 million landmines and 2.9 million other unexploded munitions. Yet vast areas remain dangerous, affecting everything from farming and construction to basic community safety. For many Cambodians, particularly in rural areas, the risk of stepping on a mine is a daily concern.

Human-Animal Bond On The Front Lines

APOPO’s operations rely on more than just rodents. The organization also uses trained dogs, whose strong sense of smell and quick learning make them reliable partners in detection. According to field supervisor Alberto Zacarias, dogs and rats are preferred because “they are trainable, friendly, and easily learn commands.” The human-animal bond that develops between handlers and animals is essential, especially in high-risk environments.

Handlers like Sreymom speak affectionately about their rodent partners, treating them more like colleagues than tools. “They are very friendly and they don’t move around and get scared. They are like family,” she said, underscoring the deep trust that builds between species on Cambodia’s mined fields.