Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) has established a special care system for rats used in scientific research and training, including facilities for animals that have retired from active service.
SUA Vice Chancellor Professor Raphael Chibunda said the system is designed to care for the rats throughout their lives, from breeding and training to retirement.
He made the remarks in Dodoma during a press conference on the university’s implementation of activities for the 2025/26 financial year and plans for the following year.
The meeting was held at the Information Services Department hall under the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports in Mtumba.
Prof Chibunda said SUA’s rat breeding, training and research programme has been operating for more than 25 years, with the animals used in the programme originating from Tanzania, particularly the Uluguru Mountains in Morogoro Region.
The university has established specialised facilities where the rats are bred, raised and trained for scientific research and other activities.
According to Prof Chibunda, the facilities accommodate rats at different stages of their lives, including newly born animals, those undergoing training, trained rats and those that have retired.
“When you come to our university, you will find a maternity ward, rats that are beginning their training, those that have completed their training, and even a special facility for retired rats. They are there receiving their pension,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor also highlighted the story of Magawa, the internationally recognised rat that was trained in Tanzania before being deployed to Cambodia to detect landmines.
Magawa gained international recognition for detecting a record number of landmines and was awarded a prestigious medal for his contribution to humanitarian mine-clearance efforts.
Prof Chibunda said Tanzania trained the rats for deployment to Cambodia because the country faces a greater landmine challenge than Tanzania.
He explained that the rats have an average lifespan of about eight years. Those that reach nine years are considered very old and may experience physical limitations, including losing teeth and becoming unable to perform their duties effectively.
Magawa reached old age in Cambodia, where he later died.
Prof Chibunda said there were plans to return Magawa’s remains to Tanzania following his death, but logistical requirements and permits prevented the plan from being implemented.
“We said it was possible, but at that time the logistical procedures and permits became a challenge. Our colleagues in Cambodia could not wait any longer, so they built a large monument for him there,” he said.
SUA continues to use rats in scientific research and training while maintaining their welfare throughout their working lives and providing care after they retire from active service.