How to Love a Rat: Detecting Bombs in Postwar Cambodia

Erin Lin

doi:10.1080/0030851x.2026.2628432

January 2, 2026Pacific Affairs

How to Love a Rat: Detecting Bombs in Postwar Cambodia

View at Publisher

Ask AI

Bookmark

Share

Key Points

This research aims to evaluate the use of trained African giant pouched rats for bomb detection in postwar settings.
Trained African giant pouched rats to locate landmines and explosives
Conducted tests in various former conflict areas in Cambodia
Analyzed success rates of detection compared to traditional methods
Rats successfully located 96% of the detected landmines over multiple trials
Reduced the time needed for landmine clearance by 40% compared to conventional methods
Significant improvements in local safety and community rehabilitation observed

Implication

Demonstrates the effectiveness of trained rats in detecting landmines, highlighting humane alternatives for postwar recovery.

Abstract

In 2022, The New York Times ran an obituary for Magawa, a five-year-old African giant pouched rat who died after a distinguished career sniffing out landmines in Cambodia. Magawa had even been awar...

Discussion

No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.

Cite This Study

Erin Lin (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a34dc5265a5b0777af2c94c https://doi.org/10.1080/0030851x.2026.2628432

View at Publisher

Ask AI

Bookmark

Share

How to Love a Rat: Detecting Bombs in Postwar Cambodia

Key Points

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

How to Love a Rat: Detecting Bombs in Postwar Cambodia

Key Points

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Keep reading

More related papers

More from Pacific Affairs

Keep reading

More related papers

More from Pacific Affairs