APOPO Visitor Center
Meet the HeroRATs: African giant pouched rats trained by the Belgian NGO APOPO to save lives by detecting mines and tuberculosis.
The HeroRATs (Hero African giant pouched rats) are African giant pouched rats (Cricetomys ansorgei) deployed by the Belgian NGO APOPO to save lives. Weighing just over a kilogram, they have an exceptional sense of smell and are too light to trigger landmines when walking on them — a unique asset for humanitarian demining.
How HeroRATs Help
Training involves clicker training and rewards (bananas, peanuts). Mine detection: they identify chemical compounds of TNT, not metal — quickly mapping contaminated areas to return fields to communities. Tuberculosis: in the lab, one rat can analyse 100 samples in 20 minutes (four days under a microscope for a technician). RescueRATs: smart bags with cameras for rubble. Poaching: detection of ivory, rhino horns, and pangolin scales in containers.
Visiting the APOPO Center in Siem Reap
A highly-rated cultural detour, perfect after a morning at the Angkor temples. The guided tour lasts about 30–45 minutes in English: covering the recent conflict history in Cambodia, a live outdoor demonstration (a rat detecting a deactivated mine for a banana), and the chance to hold a rat at the end of the visit. There’s a shop and refreshments on site.
Address: Koumai Road, Trapeang Ses Village, Kouk Chauk commune, Siem Reap — 10–15 minutes by tuk-tuk north of Pub Street, on the way back from Angkor. 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (last tour at 4:30 PM). 10 USD / adult, free for children under 10 — proceeds go to demining efforts. Online booking recommended. apopo.org · visitor.center@apopo.org · +855 81 599 237.
At the APOPO center, when a HeroRAT scratches the sand and triggers the banana reward, we no longer see a rodent: we see a saviour — and this 30-minute demo is as memorable for us as a morning at Angkor.
Géraldine & Jean-Pierre
HeroRATs en action
- Détection TNT — pas de faux positifs métal
- Dépistage tuberculose ultra-rapide
- RescueRATs — recherche sous décombres
- Détection braconnage (ivoire, pangolin)
- Formation positive, bien-être animal
Visite & pratique
- Visite guidée anglais — démo live
- Tenir un HeroRAT en fin de parcours
- Idéal après Angkor (même axe Koumai Road)
- Boutique & adoption symbolique d'un rat
- Réserver en ligne sur apopo.org
Photo gallery
Contact
- Address: Koumai Road, Trapeang Ses Village, Kouk Chauk Commune, Siem Reap 171253, Cambodge
- Hours: Tous les jours : 8h30 – 17h00 (dernière visite 16h30)
- Website: https://apopo.org/support-us/apopo-visitor-center/
- Phone: +855 81 599 237
- Email: visitor.center@apopo.org