Alberta's image as world's only rat-free region shattered by discovery of rat

A rat has been spotted in Alberta, Canada, shattering the province's reputation as a rat-free region. The discovery was made by a resident in a backyard in the city of Lethbridge. The rat is described as a large, grey rat, with a distinctive notch on its ear. The resident reported the sighting to the local rat patrol, but it is unclear if the rat has been removed or contained. Alberta's rat-free status was previously recognized by the Guinness World Records.