26/05/2026
Meet Imeldo, our new HeroRat! 🐀 .center
Imeldo is one of APOPO’s newest mine detection rats working to help clear land contaminated by landmines and other explosive hazards. Each month, we will share updates about his progress in the field and the difference he is helping to make for communities who can only safely use their land after it has been carefully searched and cleared.
Last month, Imeldo was already putting his training into action. During the month, he helped search 5,800 square meters of land and successfully located three landmines, helping ensure these dangerous explosives can be safely removed.
Imeldo was born in Morogoro, Tanzania, on 16 September 2024, where APOPO trains its HeroRATs. During his training, he learned to detect the scent of explosives buried underground and to signal to his handler when he finds them.
After completing his training as a Mine Detection Rat (MDR), Imeldo travelled to Cambodia on 22 October 2025 as part of a group of 24 newly trained HeroRATs deployed to support mine clearance operations.
Before beginning work in real minefields, all rats must pass a national accreditation test, which ensures they can safely and accurately detect explosive hazards under operational conditions. Imeldo successfully passed this assessment on 5 December 2025and began working shortly afterwards.
Since starting operations, Imeldo has already helped search 18,240 square meters of land, locating four landmines and one explosive remnant of war (ERW). This is remarkable progress for such a young rat at the beginning of his operational career. At the same time, these discoveries highlight the significant level of contamination in the areas he is helping to clear, where explosive hazards from past conflicts remain buried in the ground.
Read More on our Blogs at MarquesFlooring.com.au
