Is Alberta the Only Place Without Rats in Canada?
WouterAlberta is the only place in Canada where rats do not roam freely. Until the 1950s, rats only made it to Alberta by crossing the border. However, an aggressive rat control program put an end to their existence there. Now, Albertans are proud of their rat-free status.
Rats can be a serious problem for many areas of the world. Not only do they destroy crops, they can also cause property damage, and carry 35 different diseases. These pests were introduced to North America via sailing ships in the late eighteenth century. Unfortunately, Alberta did not pay much attention to the problem until the 1950s when rats were found in Alsask, Saskatchewan. The rat infestation was quickly eradicated by a hit squad, but soon, rats started returning.
This phenomenon is the result of geography. In the north, rats cannot survive the cold temperatures. The chilly climate and the Rocky Mountains to the west make the environment unfriendly for them. As a result, rat populations have been low in Alberta for many years. The rat population moved from east to west, but the province’s geographical location helped keep the population low.
The province is dedicated to eradicating rats from the province. It reported 31 rat sightings last year, with another 26 expected by 2020. This increase in sightings does not mean that there are more rats in Alberta; the increase is simply the result of increased public awareness of the issue and a new reporting system.
