Alberta is officially described as rat-free, but that does not mean rats never occur there. The designation means the province prevents them from establishing a permanent population and responds to infestations.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada explicitly makes this distinction. Its November 2024 release reports that 23 rat sightings were confirmed during the previous year, demonstrating that rat-free status is compatible with occasional detections.
Rats can arrive on vehicles, cargo and equipment. Alberta's status therefore reflects continuing surveillance and control, rather than an absolute absence of every rat at every moment.
Alberta keeps rats from becoming established; it does not guarantee that no rat ever enters the province.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
The government defines rat-free as preventing a permanent population while addressing infestations. Its 2024 release records 23 confirmed rat sightings in the preceding year.
Based on: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
The Guardian
A rat was found in Bowden.
Based on: The Guardian
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Capybaras have several natural predators. Jaguars hunt adults, while young capybaras are vulnerable to animals including caimans, anacondas and ocelots.
Ireland has no native snakes, but snakes exist in captivity and some have escaped. The absence of native species does not mean there are no snakes anywhere.
The old claim is outdated. Mosquitoes were confirmed in Iceland in 2025, although their long-term establishment remains under investigation.