The coastal towns of Queensland, Australia, are grappling with a relentless invasion of rats, both dead and alive, as the region battles a prolonged rat and mouse plague. The surge in the native rodent population has driven the rats towards the coast in search of food, overwhelming residents and posing challenges for both locals and tourists.
For months, Queensland has been contending with an unprecedented rat and mouse infestation, exacerbated by favorable breeding conditions and a plentiful harvest. The surge in rodent numbers has been particularly challenging for communities along the coast, where the rats move en masse in their quest for sustenance.
Residents in towns such as Normanton have expressed the severity of the situation, with reports of rats infiltrating homes, vehicles, and pet enclosures. Derek Lord, a Normanton resident, described the extent of the infestation, stating, “Mate, there’s rats everywhere.” He recounted the destruction caused to vehicles, with rats causing significant damage to wiring in engine bays overnight. Even pet ducks were not spared, as rats breached their cages, creating distress among the animals.
The neighboring town of Karumba, renowned for its fishing and birdwatching attractions, has also fallen victim to the rat onslaught in recent weeks. Concerns among residents are growing, fearing potential implications for tourism in the area.
Social media posts have captured the magnitude of the issue, with videos depicting piles of dead rats along the water’s edge, surrounded by swarms of flies and other insects. In one clip, a large number of rats can be seen floating in the river, emphasizing the scale of the problem.
Experts attribute the surge in the rodent population to ideal wet weather conditions conducive to breeding, combined with a bountiful harvest. Australia’s national science agency noted in a 2021 article that parts of Queensland and New South Wales, another affected region, have witnessed mouse populations reaching plague conditions not seen since 2011.
With more wet weather anticipated for Queensland, concerns are mounting that the rat plague may intensify in the coming weeks. Fishing charter owners and residents, like Jemma Probert in Karumba, express apprehension about the long-term impact on the region. “It’s not a good thing to leave Karumba remembering,” Probert stated, highlighting the challenges posed by the ongoing rodent invasion and its potential repercussions for the local communities and tourism sector.
