Rat discovered in Alberta, ending its decades-long status as rodent-free

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Alberta, Canada, long celebrated as the world's only rat-free region, has had that distinction broken following the discovery of a rat. The find was reported on September 25, 2026, marking a significant moment in the province's history. Alberta has maintained aggressive rat-control programs since the 1950s to keep the province free of the rodents. The discovery raises questions about the future of those control efforts and whether the province can restore its unique pest-free status.

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