Day 732: September 27, 2026 – Siem Reap, Cambodia

A fascinating excursion in Cambodia was to the APOPO Hero Rat center in Siem Reap. Cambodia is one of the most landmine-affected countries in the world. Jumbo-sized rats (African Giant Pouched Rats) are used to locate landmines which are subsequently safely detonated. Their strong sense of smell allows them to sniff out TNT and other explosives even in landmines buried under the surface. They are light enough that they don’t set off the mine the way a human would if they walked on them, so are not injured in the process. Each rat has a name and dedicated trainers.

In my past scientific life, I used to poke electrodes into rat brains. I now have even more respect for their intelligence.