NBC: Rat called Magawa awarded prestigious gold medal for Cambodia landmine detection
"Every discovery he makes reduces the risk of injury or death for local people," said PDSA director general Jan McLoughlin.
LONDON — They get a bad rep, especially for being dirty.
But one rat redeemed his species on Friday becoming the first rodent to receive a gold medal for his work in sniffing out unexploded landmines and saving countless lives in Cambodia.
Magawa, a so-called "hero rat" was presented with a small blue collar and mini-gold medal by the British veterinary charity the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) on Friday.
"Magawa's work directly saves and changes the lives of men, women and children who are impacted by these landmines. Every discovery he makes reduces the risk of injury or death for local people," PDSA director general Jan McLoughlin, said in a statement.
"We are thrilled to award him the PDSA Gold Medal."
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WNU Editor: That is one big rat.
More News On A Rat Called Magawa Awarded The George Cross Medal For Sniffing Out Mines In Cambodia
How rat Magawa became the world's greatest landmine detector: Winner of the animal's George Cross was bred from previous heroes and trained from just ten weeks old to smell TNT -- Daily Mail
'Hero rat' wins gold medal from UK charity for hunting landmines -- CNN
Giant rat earns animal hero award for sniffing out landmines in Cambodia -- FOX News
Magawa the mine-detecting rat wins PDSA Gold Medal -- BBC
Magawa the rat wins bravery medal for sniffing out mines -- DW
