Alberta lives by a promise of being the only rat-free province of Canada, but a carcass of one of the pests was found recently in a central Alberta community. The Town of Bowden said Thursday that a dead rat was found in the area and it has called on the province’s Rat Patrol to investigate. The community shared no details about where the rodent was found, but it urged vigilance among residents. “If you’ve noticed rat droppings or any signs of rats, please contact Rat Patrol Alberta so they can follow up,” the town said in a statement. “Please stay alert and report any sightings.” Albertans can report rats by calling 310-FARM or by emailing rats@gov.ab.ca. Why does Alberta fight rats? According to the Alberta Invasive Species Council, rats are considered “one of the most destructive species in North America.” It says the rodents can damage crops, property and the environment, and can threaten public health through the transfer of disease. Rats are also blamed for 25 per cent of unknown fires, given that they often chew through electrical wires, the council said. Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation introduced a rat control program in the 1950s, when rats were first reported on the eastern border of the province. “This program includes strict regulations, public education, and routine inspections of farms, businesses, and residential areas,” the council said. It has since been “one of the most successful pest management initiatives in the world,” keeping Alberta “virtually rat-free” for more than 70 years. Common occurrence: province The Alberta government says its zero-tolerance policy for rats in the province remains intact, as this incident involved only of a single Norway rat found at a home in Bowden. “The rat control program team is working with the homeowner to monitor for the presence of additional rats on site but no other signs have been found. This event is a great opportunity to remind Albertans that we must remain vigilant when it comes to rats and report all sightings,” said Callum Reid, press secretary for Agriculture and Irrigation Minister Tara Sawyer. Reid suggested that the rat likely hitched a ride from elsewhere. “It is common for this to happen as people transport rats back in their vehicles when they travel out of province. We recommend Albertans travelling out of province check their vehicles when they return home and watch for signs of rats in their garages and outside their homes.” CTV News Calgary has reached out to the Town of Bowden for more information about the dead rat.
