Hungry Rat Terrifies the Queen in Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace and the forecourt is seen in central London. Photo: Reuters
Buckingham Palace and the forecourt is seen in central London. Photo: Reuters
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Hungry Rat Terrifies the Queen in Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace and the forecourt is seen in central London. Photo: Reuters
Buckingham Palace and the forecourt is seen in central London. Photo: Reuters

A hungry rat spotted in one of Buckingham Palace's kitchens in London left the Queen Elizabeth II horrified.

The palace's staff has called in a pest control squad that shortly arrived to address the situation.

The British Pest Control Association admitted that the country witnesses an invasion or a new species of rodents with immunity against poison, which raised anger among Britons.

The proliferation of rats and mice has become a major problem hitting the ancient buildings of Britain such as the royal palace that dates back to 1703, the parliament, and other governmental edifices.

It is reported that officials have given staff, in particular kitchen workers, basic training such as shutting cupboard doors and sweeping away bits of food in order to stop the problem spreading.

The tiny animals developed a genetic mutation known as LG20, which renders many toxins useless.

A spokesperson for the British Pest Control Association admitted that the long-tailed rodents had grown increasingly immune to the poison.



Escaped Otter is Home Safe but US Zoo Says her Pal is Still on the Loose

  The two North American river otters escaped two weeks ago from the NEW Zoo & Adventure Park in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Reuters
The two North American river otters escaped two weeks ago from the NEW Zoo & Adventure Park in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Reuters
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Escaped Otter is Home Safe but US Zoo Says her Pal is Still on the Loose

  The two North American river otters escaped two weeks ago from the NEW Zoo & Adventure Park in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Reuters
The two North American river otters escaped two weeks ago from the NEW Zoo & Adventure Park in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Reuters

Ophelia the escaped zoo otter is back home but Louie remains elusive — perhaps in search of a mate.
The two North American river otters escaped two weeks ago from the NEW Zoo & Adventure Park in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Ophelia was captured Friday night, the zoo said in a Facebook post.
Her return was kept under wraps until Tuesday while she was held for observation. A veterinarian’s examination Monday cleared her for return to her enclosure, The Associated Press reported.
However, she “may not always be visible to guests,” the zoo said. “Ophelia has always been a bit shy and enjoys tucking into things to take naps throughout the day.”
The mammals escaped through a hole in a fence during a snowstorm.
Louie remains on the lam. “This is otter breeding season and we expect that, as a male otter, Louie is likely ranging a bit further from home than Ophelia did.”
It's unlikely Louie is too far away, the zoo said. Otters are territorial creatures.
He's undoubtedly safe — otters are native to the area — and poses no harm to humans.
The zoo has had help from a tracker, motion-activated cameras and reports from residents who see the critters, particularly those who are able to take photos or video of the animal.