People flee caravans at 'rat central' nature reserve overrun by hungry rodents

dailystar.co.uk:

Rodents have taken over a nature reserve earning it the nickname "rat central" by disgusted visitors. Walkers claim to have seen rats scuttering up trees on the hunt for eggs in bird nests which has reportedly put holidaymakers at a nearby caravan site off from visiting.Remarkably two women are being blamed for the rise of rats as witnesses claim to have seen them distribute feed at the beauty spot every day, NorthWalesLive reports.READ MORE: Horror pic shows bloodthirsty rat that tried to eat disabled pensioner as she sleptWith birdlife reportedly depleting as a result of the rodent takeover at Brickfield Pond, Rhyl, wildlife lovers are calling for renewed action after attempts by Denbighshire Council to tackle the problem met only initial success.Last week Sue Nelson counted 22 rats as she strolled around the reserve’s 1km perimeter path with her two dogs.

The previous count was 19, then 20. “The rats almost define this place now,” sighed the retired college lecturer, 74. “Which is a shame, as it’s such a beautiful place.” Rat complaints at Brickfield stretch back at least a decade.

In 2014 it was dubbed “rat central” in a Tripadvisor review by a mum who grabbed her two kids and “fled”. By the first lockdown in 2020, rat numbers were reported to be out of control, with a woman describing her visit as “horrendous”.“I have never been so disgusted,” she wrote. “My granddaughter was absolutely petrified.

We ended up shouting and making a noise in the hope of scaring them, to no avail.” With Ann Hughes, a retired social worker, Sue Nelson lobbied the council for vermin control in 2020 and in response a series of baited rat boxes were laid out and there was an immediate improvement. “The following spring we began to see many.