Rat plague spreads to Australia's fishing towns

[CharlieH]

 

Thousands of rats - dead and alive - have swept up on beaches in Queensland Australia, overwhelming residents.

The state has been battling a rat and mouse plague for months now.

A surge in the native rodent population has forced the rats to move coastwards in their search for more food, but many do not survive the trip, according to experts quoted in local media.

"Mate, there's rats everywhere," Derek Lord, a resident from the town of Normanton, told AFP news agency.

"We have hire vehicles and they literally destroyed a car overnight, taking all of the wiring out of the engine bay," said Mr Lord, 49.

He added that his pet ducks had been "going mad" as rats broke into their cages.

 

The rats have also infested the neighbouring town of Karumba in the past few weeks and some residents worry they will have an adverse effect on tourism in the area, Australian media reported. Karumba is well-known as a fishing and birdwatching paradise.

Warning: Some readers may find the following image and details disturbing.

One video posted on social media shows heaps of dead rats piled up by the water, while flies and other insects swarm around them. Another clip shows a large number of them floating in the river.

 

FULL STORY

 

[Chassa]

Never seen a Rat plague but I've seen mouse plagues on the Nullarbor, many years ago.

[digger70]

Rat plague in North Aus. 

 

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-23/rat-plague-queensland-gulf-residents-battle-rodents-karumba/103134820

[steven100]

seen alot of rats in Australia years ago,  and I can assure you Thailand has it's fair share of rats looking for any opportunity. 

[300sd]

Can try the Pied Piper but it may not work anymore!

[AgMech Cowboy]

Seems they need to call Daniel Andrews. I'm sure he could solve the problem....