🐭🥇
September 27, 2020 10:01 AM Subscribe
Landmine detection rat Magawa receives the PDSA Gold Medal for his life-saving work in Cambodia as a HeroRat. Magawa is the first non-dog to receive this award.
The PSDA Gold Medal was established in 2001 for "acts of animal bravery and exceptional devotion to duty" and is the civilian equivalent of the PSDA Dickin Medal , which was established in 1943 and has been awarded to pigeons, dogs, horses, and one cat.
Some previouslies:
(2015) Beyond belief: HeroRats 🐀
2010: Hero Rats, We Called 'Em.
(2009) HeroRATs Clear Landmines
The PSDA Gold Medal was established in 2001 for "acts of animal bravery and exceptional devotion to duty" and is the civilian equivalent of the PSDA Dickin Medal , which was established in 1943 and has been awarded to pigeons, dogs, horses, and one cat.
Some previouslies:
(2015) Beyond belief: HeroRats 🐀
2010: Hero Rats, We Called 'Em.
(2009) HeroRATs Clear Landmines
What a strange world we live in, where a rat is honored for mitigating the evil, unpunished acts of humans.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 11:30 AM on September 27, 2020 [25 favorites]
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 11:30 AM on September 27, 2020 [25 favorites]
This rat has probably done more good for the world than I have. That's humbling.
posted by Saxon Kane at 11:35 AM on September 27, 2020 [9 favorites]
posted by Saxon Kane at 11:35 AM on September 27, 2020 [9 favorites]
That rat is aaaalllll right.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 11:59 AM on September 27, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by ricochet biscuit at 11:59 AM on September 27, 2020 [2 favorites]
That's the RAT stuff, Magawa.
posted by SPrintF at 2:05 PM on September 27, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by SPrintF at 2:05 PM on September 27, 2020 [2 favorites]
Wikipedia: The Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) estimates that there may be as many as four to six million mines and other pieces of unexploded ordnance in Cambodia.
I don't think there is enough Magawa. :(
posted by BlueHorse at 3:46 PM on September 27, 2020 [3 favorites]
I don't think there is enough Magawa. :(
posted by BlueHorse at 3:46 PM on September 27, 2020 [3 favorites]
We obviously need more rats
posted by eustatic at 5:38 AM on September 28, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by eustatic at 5:38 AM on September 28, 2020 [1 favorite]
Parry Gripp wrote them a theme song in 2010. Lyrics excerpt:
They are small
Yet they are mighty
Marching bravely into hell
Oh
Into the fields
Straight into danger
Saving the humans from themselves
From ourselves
posted by contraption at 9:50 AM on September 28, 2020 [4 favorites]
They are small
Yet they are mighty
Marching bravely into hell
Oh
Into the fields
Straight into danger
Saving the humans from themselves
From ourselves
posted by contraption at 9:50 AM on September 28, 2020 [4 favorites]
Something for Mayor Pete to aspire to.
posted by nofundy at 4:53 PM on September 28, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by nofundy at 4:53 PM on September 28, 2020 [1 favorite]
I paid to adopt one of these rats as a present for my mom. You get to name your rat and they send email and photos letting you know how it's progressing in its career. After a few years of landmine/TB detection, your rat retires to a life of relaxation, exercise, and gorging on African fruits and vegetables. I recommend you adopt a HeroRat as the next best thing to living that life yourself.
posted by Harvey Kilobit at 1:34 AM on September 30, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by Harvey Kilobit at 1:34 AM on September 30, 2020 [2 favorites]
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posted by meese at 10:34 AM on September 27, 2020 [7 favorites]