WASHINGTON — No need to be scared of these rats. These little guys save lives. In fact, some say they’re heroes.…
SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA - JULY 02: A mine detection rat is given banana as a reward after successfully identifying an inactive mine on July 2, 2015 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) working with the Belgian NGO APOPO has recently begun testing the feasibility of using large mine detection rats from Tanzania to help clear fields of mines and unexploded ordnance in one of the most bombed and mined countries in the world. (Photo by Taylor Weidman/Getty Images)
Photo by Taylor Weidman/Getty Images
SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA - JULY 02: A rat searches for land mines and unexploded ordnance during a training session on July 2, 2015 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) working with the Belgian NGO APOPO has recently begun testing the feasibility of using large mine detection rats from Tanzania to help clear fields of mines and unexploded ordnance in one of the most bombed and mined countries in the world.
SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA - JULY 02: A rat searches for land mines and unexploded ordnance during a training session on July 2, 2015 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) working with the Belgian NGO APOPO has recently begun testing the feasibility of using large mine detection rats from Tanzania to help clear fields of mines and unexploded ordnance in one of the most bombed and mined countries in the world. (Photo by Taylor Weidman/Getty Images)
Photo by Taylor Weidman/Getty Images
Cambodia's Demining Authority Train Giant Rats To Detect Landmines SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA - JULY 02: Handlers train rats to detect different types of mines and unexploded ordnance on July 2, 2015 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) working with the Belgian NGO APOPO has recently begun testing the feasibility of using large mine detection rats from Tanzania to help clear fields of mines and unexploded ordnance in one of the most bombed and mined countries in the world. (Photo by Taylor Weidman/Getty Images)
Photo by Taylor Weidman/Getty Images
Cambodia's Demining Authority Train Giant Rats To Detect Landmines SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA - JULY 02: Handlers train rats to detect different types of mines and unexploded ordnance on July 2, 2015 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) working with the Belgian NGO APOPO has recently begun testing the feasibility of using large mine detection rats from Tanzania to help clear fields of mines and unexploded ordnance in one of the most bombed and mined countries in the world. (Photo by Taylor Weidman/Getty Images)
Photo by Taylor Weidman/Getty Images
SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA - JULY 02: A small leash is attached to a mine detection rat before a training session on July 2, 2015 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) working with the Belgian NGO APOPO has recently begun testing the feasibility of using large mine detection rats from Tanzania to help clear fields of mines and unexploded ordnance in one of the most bombed and mined countries in the world.
SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA - JULY 02: A handler puts a leash on a mine detection rat before a training session on July 2, 2015 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) working with the Belgian NGO APOPO has recently begun testing the feasibility of using large mine detection rats from Tanzania to help clear fields of mines and unexploded ordnance in one of the most bombed and mined countries in the world. (Photo by Taylor Weidman/Getty Images)
Photo by Taylor Weidman/Getty Images
SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA - JULY 02: A deactivated, Chinese-made, anti-personnel mine is one of many types used to train the rats on July 2, 2015 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) working with the Belgian NGO APOPO has recently begun testing the feasibility of using large mine detection rats from Tanzania to help clear fields of mines and unexploded ordnance in one of the most bombed and mined countries in the world.
SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA - JULY 02: A handler gives a mine detection rat's mobile cage a cleaning on July 2, 2015 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) working with the Belgian NGO APOPO has recently begun testing the feasibility of using large mine detection rats from Tanzania to help clear fields of mines and unexploded ordnance in one of the most bombed and mined countries in the world. (Photo by Taylor Weidman/Getty Images)
Photo by Taylor Weidman/Getty Images
SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA - JULY 02: Tape measures are used to identify where the rat has indicated during a training session on July 2, 2015 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) working with the Belgian NGO APOPO has recently begun testing the feasibility of using large mine detection rats from Tanzania to help clear fields of mines and unexploded ordnance in one of the most bombed and mined countries in the world. (Photo by Taylor Weidman/Getty Images)
Photo by Taylor Weidman/Getty Images
SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA - JULY 02: A supervisor enters data from the morning's training into a computer on July 2, 2015 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) working with the Belgian NGO APOPO has recently begun testing the feasibility of using large mine detection rats from Tanzania to help clear fields of mines and unexploded ordnance in one of the most bombed and mined countries in the world. (Photo by Taylor Weidman/Getty Images)
Photo by Taylor Weidman/Getty Images
SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA - JULY 02: A mine detection rat naps after training on July 2, 2015 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) working with the Belgian NGO APOPO has recently begun testing the feasibility of using large mine detection rats from Tanzania to help clear fields of mines and unexploded ordnance in one of the most bombed and mined countries in the world.
SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA - JULY 02: A mine detection rat naps in the shade after training on July 2, 2015 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) working with the Belgian NGO APOPO has recently begun testing the feasibility of using large mine detection rats from Tanzania to help clear fields of mines and unexploded ordnance in one of the most bombed and mined countries in the world. (Photo by Taylor Weidman/Getty Images)
Photo by Taylor Weidman/Getty Images
SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA - JULY 02: Handlers train rats to detect mines and UXO on July 2, 2015 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) working with the Belgian NGO APOPO has recently begun testing the feasibility of using large mine detection rats from Tanzania to help clear fields of mines and unexploded ordnance in one of the most bombed and mined countries in the world.
SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA - JULY 02: A member of the Cambodian Mine Action Center on July 2, 2015 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) working with the Belgian NGO APOPO has recently begun testing the feasibility of using large mine detection rats from Tanzania to help clear fields of mines and unexploded ordnance in one of the most bombed and mined countries in the world.
SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA - JULY 02: A rat searches for land mines and unexploded ordnance during a training session on July 2, 2015 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) working with the Belgian NGO APOPO has recently begun testing the feasibility of using large mine detection rats from Tanzania to help clear fields of mines and unexploded ordnance in one of the most bombed and mined countries in the world. (Photo by Taylor Weidman/Getty Images)
Photo by Taylor Weidman/Getty Images
SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA - JULY 02: Handlers feed the rats after a morning of training and tests on July 2, 2015 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) working with the Belgian NGO APOPO has recently begun testing the feasibility of using large mine detection rats from Tanzania to help clear fields of mines and unexploded ordnance in one of the most bombed and mined countries in the world.
SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA - JULY 02: A handler gives the mine detection rat's cage a quick cleaning on July 2, 2015 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) working with the Belgian NGO APOPO has recently begun testing the feasibility of using large mine detection rats from Tanzania to help clear fields of mines and unexploded ordnance in one of the most bombed and mined countries in the world.
SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA - JULY 02: A mine detection rat looks out of it's cage before training begins on July 2, 2015 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) working with the Belgian NGO APOPO has recently begun testing the feasibility of using large mine detection rats from Tanzania to help clear fields of mines and unexploded ordnance in one of the most bombed and mined countries in the world. (Photo by Taylor Weidman/Getty Images)
Photo by Taylor Weidman/Getty Images
SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA - JULY 02: A handler carries a rat to an enclosure on July 2, 2015 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) working with the Belgian NGO APOPO has recently begun testing the feasibility of using large mine detection rats from Tanzania to help clear fields of mines and unexploded ordnance in one of the most bombed and mined countries in the world. (Photo by Taylor Weidman/Getty Images)
Photo by Taylor Weidman/Getty Images
SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA - JULY 02: A mine detection rat sticks it's nose out of the cage at feeding time on July 2, 2015 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) working with the Belgian NGO APOPO has recently begun testing the feasibility of using large mine detection rats from Tanzania to help clear fields of mines and unexploded ordnance in one of the most bombed and mined countries in the world.
SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA - JULY 02: A mine detection rat searches as its handler looks on on July 2, 2015 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) working with the Belgian NGO APOPO has recently begun testing the feasibility of using large mine detection rats from Tanzania to help clear fields of mines and unexploded ordnance in one of the most bombed and mined countries in the world. (Photo by Taylor Weidman/Getty Images)
Photo by Taylor Weidman/Getty Images
SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA - JULY 02: Mine detection rats nap in the shade after finishing their morning training on July 2, 2015 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) working with the Belgian NGO APOPO has recently begun testing the feasibility of using large mine detection rats from Tanzania to help clear fields of mines and unexploded ordnance in one of the most bombed and mined countries in the world.
SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA - JULY 02: A handler brings a mine detection rat to a shaded area after a training session on July 2, 2015 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) working with the Belgian NGO APOPO has recently begun testing the feasibility of using large mine detection rats from Tanzania to help clear fields of mines and unexploded ordnance in one of the most bombed and mined countries in the world.
SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA - JULY 02: A resident veterinarian performs daily checks of the mine detection rats on July 2, 2015 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) working with the Belgian NGO APOPO has recently begun testing the feasability of using large mine detection rats from Tanzania to help clear fields of mines and unexploded ordnance in one of the most bombed and mined countries in the world. (Photo by Taylor Weidman/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON — No need to be scared of these rats. These little guys save lives. In fact, some say they’re heroes.
Through a program called HeroRATs, African Giant Pouched rats are being used to detect live mines in Cambodia, CBS News reports.
The rodents are already used to detecting mines in Tanzania and Mozambique, according to Anti-Personnel Landmines Detection Product Development (APOPO), the Belgian nongovernmental organization that created the program.
Cambodia is one of the most bombed and mined countries in the world. The rats use their well-developed sense of smell to detect the mines and are too light to set off the explosives, CBS reports.
