Bowden, Alta. (Rural Roots Canada) – A dead rat has been found in Bowden, Alberta, prompting the province’s Rat Patrol to be called in to investigate.
In a social media post, the Central Alberta town is reminding residents that, should they notice any rat droppings or any other signs of rat activity, they should contact the Rat Patrol.
The town did not indicate where in the community the carcass was found.
Alberta remains the largest rat-free jurisdiction in the world, and Albertans have lived a rat-free life since 1950.
That doesn’t mean the province doesn’t get rats. It means there is no resident rat population anywhere in Alberta, and the rodent is prevented from establishing itself. It’s also illegal to own a pet rat in Alberta.
If and when a rat is spotted, they are isolated and eradicated through proven control methods.
Alberta’s Rat Control Program launched in 1950 as a way to keep the rats from spreading disease and damaging infrastructure and agriculture. Armed with new legislation, a dedicated “Rat Control Zone” stretching 600 kilometres along Alberta’s eastern edge, and a network of municipal pest inspectors, the province halted the rats’ advance within three years.
If you spot a rat, the province says to safely take a picture, take note of the location, and send the information to rats@gov.ab.ca or call toll-free 310-FARM (3276).
