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November 22, 2017 | Last Modified: 2017
Travel Experience
APOPO is a Belgian NGO that trains Gambian Giant Rat to detect landmines by using their amazing sense of smell. They are technically called Mine Detection Rat (MDR). APOPO is currently working in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Angola, Colombia and Cambodia.
The operation of clearance started in 2016 in the Siem Reap Province where the rats are still working.
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Comparing to the traditional metal detector method, the Mine Detection Rats are faster due to their amazing sense of smell. For instance, a tennis court can be cleared in 20 minutes by the MDR while the metal detector would take 3 days.
APOPO CAMBODIA opened a visitor center which is located in charming village next to Wat Thmei, on the way to Angkor Wat. It will be a chance for the public to see the MDR and how they are trained. Moreover, the public will have the opportunity to meet deminer and rat handler from the minefield who will be able to share their experience.
Responsibility
The Center is plastic free and try to help the community as much as they can,
All the money spent in the Center will be used to expand the project of clearance in Cambodia.
Business Case
APOPO has been a great asset for Cambodia, they cleared around 700 000m2 of contaminated land and saved already 1000 people that were exposed to landmines. They partnered with the Cambodia Mine Action Center.
In order to raise public awareness about the global issue of landmines and share their experience with their amazing Herorats, they opened this center.
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