Alberta's image as world's only rat-free region shattered by discovery of rat

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For more than seven decades, residents of Alberta have shared something in common with Antarctica and the high Arctic: all locations are officially free of rats. But on Thursday the Canadian province’s reputation as a firewall against rodent infestation took a hit when the town of Bowden announced the discovery of a dead rat and called on the province’s “rat patrol” to investigate. “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.

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