Cambodia deploys new batch of rat recruits to sniff out landmines

PREAH VIHEAR, Cambodia: Cambodia has deployed its next generation of rat recruits to sniff out landmines as part of efforts to boost de-mining operations in a country plagued for decades by unexploded ordinance (UXO).

Twenty African giant pouched rats were recently imported from Tanzania and have undergone intense training. "They are all easy to work with and they don't care about who their handlers are," said handler So Malen, during an exercise on Friday for seven recruits in Preah Vihear province, bordering Thailand.