Bomb-sniffing rat named Magawa retires after award-winning Cambodian career

This file undated handout photo released by UK veterinary charity PDSA on September 25, 2020 shows Magawa, an African giant pouched rat, wearing his gold medal received from PDSA for his work in detecting landmines, in Siem Reap. A giant African pouched rat called Magawa who spent years detecting landmines in the Cambodian countryside has stopped working and will enjoy a well-earned retirement eating bananas and peanuts, his employers told AFP on June 5, 2021. - AFP

PHNOM PENH, June 5 (AFP): A giant African pouched rat called Magawa who spent years sniffing out landmines in the Cambodian countryside has stopped working and will enjoy a well-earned retirement eating bananas and peanuts, his employers told AFP.

Magawa, originally from Tanzania, was trained by the Belgian charity APOPO which says the rodent helped clear mines from 225,000 square metres of land in his five-year career, the equivalent of 42 football pitches.