Magawa has broken a 77-year record, being the first rat in decades to receive the huge honour after detecting landmines. He received a gold medal for "devotion to duty"

A rat has been awarded a gold medal for "lifesaving bravery and devotion to duty" after detecting landmines.

Magawa, the giant African pouched rat, earned the medal after clearing over 141,000 square metres of land.

The clever rodent received the PDSA Gold Medal which is the animal equivalent to the George Cross – the joint highest award in the United Kingdom honours system.

Speaking to Sky News, Amy Dickin, the PSDA's awards and heritage manager said: "He will no doubt enjoy a watermelon or two over the weekend, I believe that's his weekend treat.

"And he loves a banana when he's on shift as well so I'm sure he'll be back to work performing his life-saving duties and we're so immensely proud."

Magawa has been trained to detect landmines and tuberculosis by APOPO – the furry animal has become the first rat in 77-years to receive the huge honour in the charity's history.

The award has been given in a bid to raise awareness for countries like Cambodia where landmines are a threat, continuing to injure and kill people.

Between 1975 and 1998, a massive four to six million landmines were laid in the country which has resulted in over 64,000 casualties.

Rats are used to detect landmines due to their intelligence as well as willingness to complete repetitive tasks to earn food.

In terms of danger, they are less likely to be injured as they are small and fast.

They are trained to work for 30 minutes a day after being trained for a year.

The animals can communicate finding a landmine by scratching the top – their intelligence has been applauded by Jan McLoughlin, director general of the PDSA, who says the work by Magawa and APOPO is "truly unique and outstanding".

She said: "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 programme seeks to raise the status of animals in society and honour 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."

Source: https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/world-news/clever-rat-awarded-gold-medal-22739822

some animals are even more useful than some humans

Mehhn..this is wonder-fu,oyinbo dey train rat..the rat sef dey stand pose for photo

See the Rat Cooling Off with his new Gold medal

Pepper soup material

Enoch07:
some animals are even more useful than some humans

Exactly what I wanted posting lol

Okay this isn't strange at all

I'd rather have a wonderful rat as the leader of my community/state/country than an insensible human being who'd lead this country astray. See intelligent rat abeg. I just dey trip.
Indeed some rats are better off

Front page material. So that people can see that we've got good rats that are even better than our politicians mtchwwww

these people dey whine me nii...

See the Rat Cooling Off with his change Gold bronze

This rat is having a better life than the Nigerian middle-class.

The rat � is better than someone in Aso rock I know but won’t mention name

I just dey admire oyinbo pple lives walahi... This thing no fit happen for naija. Look sef how the rat is flexing freely without fear.

This is a new one...

It shows Oyinbos are truly crazy!

DaddyRochie1642:
See the Rat Cooling Off with his new Gold medal

If not for genocidal acts of our people here, rats would be doing same. Some tribes in naija make it a communal assignment to always hunt, kill and merry with rat meat or any other animal in the rodent family.

God why?

Hmm i smell a rat

Ratata
To say d fact, this rat is more useful than most Nigerian politicians and Nigerian ladies

Like if u agree, share if u disagree

Interesting news.
Em marvelled.

Rat wey better pass my state Governor

Africans are making us proud internationally.
It's good to hear this

This is why oyinbo life dey simple, this is why things work over there. Things work because even a rat can be awarded for excellence.
Things refuse to work here because the most hardworking individuals get the most frustration because other individuals are always trying to cut corners.

Our reward system needs an upgrade fast!

Ordinary bush meat

This is hilarious

Congratulations

What nonsense is this na