Meet Magawa the rat who is officially being presented with the PDSA Gold Medal for his exceptional bravery

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Here’s Magawa wearing his medal

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And here he is posing with his human colleague Malen

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Just look at how proud he is!

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Magawa’s miniature medal was designed and struck by court jewelers and medallists Cleave & Co, who also created the Duchess of Sussex’s, Meghan Markle’s, engagement ring. “They make all the PDSA Medals,” the team said.

The PDSA Gold Medal was struck from a die, using traditional methods. “It is 18.25mm in diameter and weighs 3.9g (the full-size Medal is 38.5mm and 29.2g). Both medals equate to standard British campaign medals.”

PDSA Awards and Heritage Manager Amy Dickin told us that everyone at PDSA and APOPO is “incredibly excited” for Magawa the rat to receive the PDSA Gold Medal.

“Because of the impacts COVID has had on the UK—and wider world—our original presentation plans had to be completely re-worked. Meaning Magawa actually brings two firsts to PDSA—the first rat honored with a PDSA Medal and our first-ever virtual presentation,” Dickin said. “We’re thrilled to be shining the spotlight on his amazing work and can’t wait for everyone to see him in action!”

Magawa is making history because he is the first rat to be honored with a PDSA Medal

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“The work of HeroRAT Magawa and APOPO is truly unique and outstanding. Cambodia estimates that between 4 and 6 million landmines were laid in the country between 1975 and 1998, which have sadly caused over 64,000 casualties,” PDSA Director General McLoughlin said.

“HeroRAT 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. The PDSA Animal Awards program seeks to raise the status of animals in society and honor the incredible contribution they make to our lives. Magawa’s dedication, skill, and bravery are an extraordinary example of this and deserve the highest possible recognition. We are thrilled to award him the PDSA Gold Medal.”

The African giant pouched rat is responsible for saving lives and making safe huge tracts of land in Cambodia

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Magawa takes his job very seriously

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CEO of charity APOPO, Christophe Cox, said that HeroRATs have amazing senses of smell and excellent memories.

“We use clicker training to teach rats like Magawa to scratch at the earth above a landmine. During the training they hear a ‘click’ and receive a tasty food reward for finding the correct target scent,” Cox said. The land that Magawa and his fellow rodents make safe allows local communities to expand and then improve their livelihoods.

Magawa has been trained by charity APOPO to detect landmines. He does this far faster than a human being with a metal detector could!

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The PDSA Gold Medal is an award instituted in 2002 that is given to civilian animals for exceptional devotion to duty and life-saving bravery. Magawa is the 30th recipient of the PDSA Gold Medal and the first non-canine to receive it.

The charity’s founder, Maria Dickin, created the Animal Awards Programme back in 1943. She believed that recognizing animals for their heroics would raise their status in society and ensure better treatment. Besides the PDSA Gold Medal, the charity also awards the PDSA Dickin Medal, the PDSA Order of Merit, and the PDSA Commendation.