Should we learn to love rats? Experts have told the people of Amsterdam to learn to enjoy living in a “rat city”. But not everyone is convinced.
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Dutch told to stop hating 'cheeky' rodents
Should we learn to love rats? Experts have told the people of Amsterdam to learn to enjoy living in a "rat city". But not everyone is convinced.
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What's happening?
Scientists in the NetherlandsA country in northwestern Europe. Netherland means low-lying country. More than one fourth of the country is below sea level. want to turn AmsterdamA city in the Netherlands in northern Europe. into a "rat city". They say that rats are very clean and help to clear blockages in sewers.
The plan would involve making special feeding areas in parks where people can get to know the rats that live there.
For a long time, rats have been blamed for spreading the Black DeathA bacterial infection that killed as much as 60% of the population of Europe and 33% of the Middle Eastern population.. In fact, it was probably lice and fleas that spread the illness.
In many cultures, rats are loved. At the Karni Mata templeA building used for worship in some religions. in India, over 15,000 rats are cared for. JainsFollowers of Jainism, an ancient Indian religion whose followers live a life of non-violence and non-attachment to worldly possessions. think rats are humans reborn.
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In New York it is even possible to go on a rat tour. Kenny Bollwerk, who posts TikTok videos of rats in the city, says that people have come from as far away as Canada to join him in looking for them.
Should we learn to love rats?
Yes! Rats are known as pests, but this is unfair. They are clever, cheeky and clean. We should treat them much better than we do.
No! Rats need to chew through things to stop their teeth from getting too long. And so humans will never like them that much!
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Keywords
Netherlands - A country in northwestern Europe. Netherland means low-lying country. More than one fourth of the country is below sea level.
Amsterdam - A city in the Netherlands in northern Europe.
Black Death - A bacterial infection that killed as much as 60% of the population of Europe and 33% of the Middle Eastern population.
Temple - A building used for worship in some religions.
Jains - Followers of Jainism, an ancient Indian religion whose followers live a life of non-violence and non-attachment to worldly possessions.
Dutch told to stop hating ‘cheeky’ rodents
Cute and cuddly: Specially bred rats have been kept as pets since the late 19th Century. Glossary
Netherlands - A country in northwestern Europe. Netherland means low-lying country. More than one fourth of the country is below sea level.
Amsterdam - A city in the Netherlands in northern Europe.
Black Death - A bacterial infection that killed as much as 60% of the population of Europe and 33% of the Middle Eastern population.
Temple - A building used for worship in some religions.
Jains - Followers of Jainism, an ancient Indian religion whose followers live a life of non-violence and non-attachment to worldly possessions.