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"Short stories and travel reports from my life adventures around the globe".

The APOPO Hero Rats, Siem Reap.

APOPO Rats Humanitarian Demining.

The APOPO Hero Rats, Siem Reap.

February 2020.

I’ve always tried to seek out unique and quirky travel projects. After all, it would be boring if I was always posting about temples, churches, beaches and museums. Although I have indeed done plenty of that over the years.

Moreover, these more unusual experiences are invariably the most fun to write about. There were ample weird and wonderful sights for Sladja and I during our seven months in Cambodia. In Siem Reap, the award for most eccentric goes to APOPO and their team of lovable, life-saving hero rats. Yes, you read that right: rats that save lives!

APOPO Rats Humanitarian Demining Cambodia.

“I think I smell a rat!”

APOPO is a nonprofit organisation launched in the Belgian city of Antwerp in 1997. The geniuses behind the concept were Bart Weetjens and Christophe Cox, who came up with the idea of using rats’ amazing sense of smell to detect landmines.

In 2000 APOPO opened its first rat training centre in Tanzania. As this training and research developed, they also discovered that rats could detect tuberculosis infections far better, not to mention faster, than existing methods!

The APOPO Hero Rats, Siem Reap.

APOPO Visitor Center Siem Reap.

APOPO Visitor Center, Siem Reap.

Committed to a mantra of effective landmine and TB detection, APOPO subsequently opened centres in Mozambique, Angola, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. Of course it was only a matter of time before they got round to Cambodia, one of the worst-hit countries in the world when it comes to landmines. Their facility in Siem Reap became operational in 2014, while the visitor centre followed in 2018.

APOPO Visitor Centre Tour Siem Reap.

Taking the APOPO tour, Siem Reap.

A tour of the Siem Reap complex is a simple and brisk affair that lasts for about an hour. A friendly guide walked us through the basics of the operation before encouraging a Q&A session from his audience.

Guided tour APOPO Siem Reap.

Our guide.

During this, we learned that APOPO works exclusively with the African Giant Pouched Rat. Chiefly because a) they’re really smart and b) they live longer and can give more years of service. A common rat, for example, would typically live for 2-3 years if kept as a pet. In contrast, The Giant African Rat can live more than seven years in captivity.

APOPO logo.

We also learned that these amazing creatures can sniff out explosives from up to one meter underground. Furthermore, their modest weight and lightness of step ensure they don’t trigger the mines and therefore stay perfectly safe.

Cambodia’s Heroic Super Rats!

Hero rats Cambodia.

A rat’s life, Siem Reap.

When not sniffing out landmines, the hero rats hang out in interconnected air conditioned cages fitted with running wheels, toys and wooden tripods to satisfy their gnawing instincts. A clay pot with bedding simulates a natural underground nest for sleeping. Their diet meanwhile is a simple concoction of bananas and peanuts.

APOPO Rats Humanitarian Demining Cambodia.

The APOPO Hero Rats, Siem Reap.

Getting to meet one of the rats in person was of course the highlight of the APOPO experience. One of the most important aspects of the training process is the bond between rat and handler. It’s a system based on total trust from both sides. Happily, I felt a genuine affection between the APOPO handler and his furry friend that day.

Having introduced Mr. Rat, the handler treated us to a fascinating live demonstration of its detecting skills. As you can see in the above video, the rat can comfortably differentiate between everyday smells and the landmine scent, which gives off a TNT odour.

In the early stages of training, handlers expose their rats to a strong target scent. Over time, they gradually lower the strength of the smell and expand the size of the focus area. Eventually, the rat becomes a landmine sniffing specialist! And, of course, the promise of bananas and peanuts provides a strong motivation to get the job done quickly.

The APOPO Hero Rats, Siem Reap.

Rat demining Cambodia.

“Landmiiiiiiine!”

An APOPO rat can search an area the size of a tennis court in just thirty minutes. Compare that to a human with a metal detector who would complete the same task in about four days. No competition.

Hero rat and trainer APOPO Siem Reap

The APOPO Hero Rats, Siem Reap.

With the sound of applause still rattling around the demonstration grid, we filed into a nearby hut to watch a promotional video. Here, we saw some first hand accounts of the unspeakable misery landmines inflict on their victims. Which of course leaves you in no doubt of the importance of APOPO’s work.

2020 The Year of the Rat.

The APOPO Hero Rats, Siem Reap.

Also in the hut, it was fun to spot this statistics board. In 2019 alone APOPO found and deactivated 371 landmines, along with a further 316 unexploded ordinances. Amusingly, they hold monthly and annual competitions to crown the best performing rats. 2019’s king sniffer was a badass rodent by the name of Saibaba. I’m guessing more peanuts was her grand prize.

APOPOP rat toys Siem Reap.

You know you want one.

In the gift shop and lobby there’s a sobering gallery of black and white photographs detailing APOPO’s work over the years. Should it tickle your fancy, they also have t-shirts and rat toys.

What to See & Do, Siem Reap.

APOPO Humanitarian Demining Siem Reap.

The APOPO Hero Rats, Siem Reap.

Following a period of closure brought on by COVID-19, APOPO reopened their visitor centre on August the 1st 2020. They are now open seven days a week from 8.30am to 16:30. It’s definitely advisable to contact them ahead of your visit, as tour groups are small and in these uncertain times they may be subject to unexpected closures. For more on APOPO and their work, head to the official website.

Leighton Travels travel reports short stories.

To learn more about Cambodia’s landmine problem, take a look at my article on Cambodia Landmine Museum.

Like this? Check out more of my travel reports from around Siem Reap.

Or maybe delve further afield with my articles from across Cambodia.

I’ve been living, working and traveling all over the world since 2001. So why not check out my huge library of travel reports from over 30 countries.

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44 Comments

  • nationalparkswitht

    Cool!

    August 25, 2020 - 4:15 pm Reply
  • 100 Country Trek

    Always leary seeing rats!

    August 25, 2020 - 4:45 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      I think these ones are quite beautiful!

      July 12, 2022 - 9:00 pm Reply
  • Memo

    Fascinating for sure, and definitely different! Did you get a chance to handle one? Also, you say they live longer but never say how long.

    August 25, 2020 - 8:19 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      Sadly we weren’t offered the chance to handle a rat. My profuse apologies for not mentioning the lifespan of an African Giant Pouched rat. According to my good friend Mr. Google, the average life of a common rat is 2-3 years if kept as a pet. The Giant African rat can live more than seven years in captivity. I’ll update the article when I get a chance.

      August 25, 2020 - 8:26 pm Reply
  • salsaworldtraveler

    Fascinating! This venue and organization was a great find.

    August 26, 2020 - 12:14 am Reply
    • Leighton

      Thank you!

      August 26, 2020 - 12:14 am Reply
  • Little Miss Traveller

    Wow, I had heard of rats being intelligent but it’s hard to believe that they can cover the area of a tennis court so quickly and can become trained to sniff out landmines. I’ve rarely seen them, thank goodness and usually scurrying about beneath the underground lines in London.

    July 13, 2022 - 8:52 am Reply
    • Leighton

      Yes I think our general feelings of rats are quite negative. Sewers… disease… snarling faces… I think there was even a James Herbert horror novel simply called ‘Rats’. These guys were so clean, their eyes so bright and full of intelligence. This was definitely one of my favorite finds in Siem Reap. Thanks for reading Marion and for your contribution to the rat-thread.

      July 13, 2022 - 8:58 am Reply
  • Stan

    What a heartwarming place where everyone seems to benefit from the workers and the citizens to the rats themselves. I would love to see that demonstration in person

    July 13, 2022 - 1:24 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      Hey Stan, from all of the war sites and exhibits I visited in Siem Reap, I think this was the only one where I came away smiling. Thanks for reading!

      July 13, 2022 - 1:28 pm Reply
  • wetanddustyroads

    I have come across this before, but it was great to now read your post and see the video about them. Side note: A rat once kept me on a table for more than an hour (Berto is still trying to convince me that he was more scared of me than I was of him 😁). Though I’m still a bit wary of them, I do find it fascinating that they have the ability to sniff out those landmines!

    July 13, 2022 - 2:16 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      Oh wow, sounds like I should congratulate you for getting to the end of the article! Yeah, these rats are obviously a whole different breed. Otherwise I have no desire to hang out with rats! Thanks for reading Corna!

      July 13, 2022 - 4:25 pm Reply
  • Lyssy In The City

    Those rats are massive! Dare I say a little bit cute? They sort of remind me of a chinchilla mixed with a mouse. It’s amazing how much rats are used for human benefits though even though most people hate them.

    July 13, 2022 - 2:16 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      They are cute I think! Some people just can’t see it but I found them to be quite thoughtful and charming. And as you say, there’s no doubting the benefit they provide.

      July 13, 2022 - 4:30 pm Reply
      • Lyssy In The City

        In NYC they can climb up water pipes into people’s toilets… I wouldn’t like that rat. We live on the 40th floor so I think we’re safe haha

        July 14, 2022 - 3:25 pm
  • kagould17

    Now that is what I call an unusual tour Leighton. Just goes to show you that rats can be more than freeloaders looking for a free meal. Glad someone thought of this and then instituted the training program. Happy Wednesday. Allan

    July 13, 2022 - 2:55 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      Thanks Allan! It’s always great when you have something a bit different to share. I’ve been looking to putting this one out for a while.

      July 13, 2022 - 4:33 pm Reply
  • grandmisadventures

    That is really incredible that these rats can do this! What an ingenious idea to use the rats. I’ve never been partial to rats or mice, but I must say those look strangely cute and cuddly. I think it must be their size that makes them seem more cuddly. Really great post! 🙂

    July 13, 2022 - 4:50 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      Yeah I think their size is part of the reason they seem more appealing. Thanks for checking out APOPO Meg and their hero rats!

      July 13, 2022 - 7:37 pm Reply
  • Monkey's Tale

    This is fascinating! Who would have thought rats could be so useful. Interesting piece Leighton! Maggie

    July 13, 2022 - 5:33 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      Thanks for reading Maggie! It really is a unique place and that rare Cambodian War sight that leaves you feeling positive instead of empty.

      July 14, 2022 - 10:11 am Reply
  • qprgary

    That is just amazing, never ever would have known this and I’ve known a few rats in my time 😂😂

    July 13, 2022 - 6:44 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      Thanks for reading Gary! Are you talking about love rats? 💗 😉

      July 13, 2022 - 7:38 pm Reply
      • qprgary

        At my age I fail to remember things like that.

        July 15, 2022 - 9:28 am
  • NortheastAllie

    This is really neat! I am impressed with how intelligent the rats are, and it is amazing that they are saving lives as well.

    July 14, 2022 - 3:06 am Reply
    • Leighton

      Life saving rats eh? Who’d have thunk it? Thanks for taking a look Allie.

      July 14, 2022 - 9:26 am Reply
  • Rebecca

    Never thought that rats could be used to potentially save lives, especially sniffing out land mines! Doesn’t hurt that they’re incredibly cute!

    July 14, 2022 - 5:32 am Reply
    • Leighton

      It’s what you call a win-win for everyone involved in this amazing project! Thanks for dropping in Rebecca.

      July 14, 2022 - 9:27 am Reply
  • travelling_han

    I watched a documentary on these rats a while back, totally amazing!

    July 14, 2022 - 1:38 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      They are magnificent eh? Thanks for your comment.

      July 14, 2022 - 1:46 pm Reply
  • Travels Through My Lens

    Animals are so amazing; and the little critters are pretty cute too! I love the photo of the one in the harness.

    July 15, 2022 - 8:08 am Reply
    • Leighton

      I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks they’re cute! Thanks for checking out APOPO’s cool hero rats!

      July 15, 2022 - 1:03 pm Reply
  • Nic

    I always thought that rats are utterly misunderstood (I have the same opinion of pigeons). Brilliant animals, love the mission of this organisation. Who would say rats can be saving human lives?

    July 17, 2022 - 10:12 am Reply
    • Leighton

      I think you might be right about rats. Honestly, I have had little contact with rats over the years. These creatures were just wonderful though: smart, beautiful and with real character. Thanks for checking in, Nic!

      July 17, 2022 - 10:48 am Reply
  • Mike and Kellye Hefner

    I have never been a rat fan until now. I guess because these rats are doing such an incredible service to humans, they are much cuter than any other rats I’ve seen! I would even hold one and feed it bananas. What a wonderful organization, APOPO. I may be tempted to donate to their cause. Thank you for sharing this, Leighton.

    July 17, 2022 - 11:05 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      You’re an absolute star for seeking this piece out Kellye, much appreciated.

      July 17, 2022 - 11:21 pm Reply
  • rkrontheroad

    Definitely quirky but quite fascinating! Amazing creatures when viewed outside urban environments. Did you buy a rat t-shirt? I visited a rehab center in Phnom Penh for victims of landmines, fitting them with artificial limbs and training them, called COPE. So moving to meet some of the people they serve and hear their story.

    July 21, 2022 - 4:09 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      Oh wow I’ve heard of COPE but didn’t visit. What an experience that must have been. I didn’t buy a shirt at APOPO, but I did pick one up at The Cambodian Landmine Museum. Still got it too!

      July 21, 2022 - 4:25 pm Reply
      • rkrontheroad

        At COPE, they strap one leg up and you can try doing things on one leg while they coach you. Good videos of their program. So many kids have been maimed by landmines. Yay for the rats!

        July 21, 2022 - 4:57 pm

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