Giant rat wins animal hero award for sniffing out landmines
In this undated photo issued by the PDSA, People's Dispensary for Sick Animals, Cambodian landmine detection rat, Magawa is photographed wearing his PDSA Gold Medal, the animal equivalent of the George Cross, in Siem, Cambodia. (PDSA via AP)LONDON โ A rat has for the first time won a British charity's top civilian award for animal bravery, receiving the honor for searching out unexploded landmines in Cambodia. โThe PDSA Gold Medal award brings the problem of landmines to global attention.โMore than 60 million people in 59 countries continue to be threatened by landmines and unexploded ordinance, according to APOPO. The PDSAโs Gold Medal has been awarded since 2002 to recognize bravery and acts of exceptional devotion by animals in civilian service. The court jewelers struck Magawaโs miniature PDSA Gold Medal as well as creating Meghan's engagement ring.