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Saturday, Feb 22, 2025
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Taikoo up in arms as rats run riot
Authorities have been quick to nip a rodent manifestation in Taikoo Shing by cutting off their food source, clearing their nests and blocking ratholes after residents reported frequent sightings of rats that were "as big as cats."
Residents at the large-scale private Hong Kong Island estate have in a Facebook group "Taikoo community concern group" complained about worsening rat problems, with one claiming to have seen "seven to eight Mickeys" running around the estate's podium around 2 am.
His post came with a photo that captured four rats foraging in the podium, with one appearing to be bigger than a small drain cover next to it.
In the comments, others also shared sightings, with one claiming to have seen some "as big as cats" out as early as 8 pm.
Some said they were not surprised by the rat problem because there are many restaurants in the neighborhood.
Another resident said: "I've seen more rats when I ran at Quarry Bay Park too."
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said it has received eight complaints on rodent manifestation this year.
While its officers did not find any rats in restaurants, a number of ratholes and feces were spotted in the estate.
It said rat traps and poisonous baits had also been placed around the area.
The estate management has hired contractors for anti-rodent operations and taking preventive measures, including installing fences and blocking possible ratholes.
"We have been hiring anti-rodent experts to inspect Taikoo Shing twice a week to assess the use of rat poison and add necessary baits," Taikoo Shing Management said, adding that the latest inspections were conducted on Monday and yesterday.
The company cited experts as saying that the rats spotted by residents were "relatively large" and believed they could be "street rats" that had not come from the estate.
"The management has also arranged mass cleaning of refuse rooms and public areas, as well as stepping up inspections," it said.
Edward Leung Hei, who represents Hong Kong Island East in the Legislative Council, said he is shocked by the reports of serious rat manifestation and called on authorities to strengthen anti-rodent efforts around Quarry Bay Park.
Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan has announced a city-wide anti-rodent mission that will begin next week, with the target being to cut the city's rodent black spots by half.
His post came with a photo that captured four rats foraging in the podium, with one appearing to be bigger than a small drain cover next to it.
In the comments, others also shared sightings, with one claiming to have seen some "as big as cats" out as early as 8 pm.
Some said they were not surprised by the rat problem because there are many restaurants in the neighborhood.
Another resident said: "I've seen more rats when I ran at Quarry Bay Park too."
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said it has received eight complaints on rodent manifestation this year.
While its officers did not find any rats in restaurants, a number of ratholes and feces were spotted in the estate.
It said rat traps and poisonous baits had also been placed around the area.
The estate management has hired contractors for anti-rodent operations and taking preventive measures, including installing fences and blocking possible ratholes.
"We have been hiring anti-rodent experts to inspect Taikoo Shing twice a week to assess the use of rat poison and add necessary baits," Taikoo Shing Management said, adding that the latest inspections were conducted on Monday and yesterday.
The company cited experts as saying that the rats spotted by residents were "relatively large" and believed they could be "street rats" that had not come from the estate.
"The management has also arranged mass cleaning of refuse rooms and public areas, as well as stepping up inspections," it said.
Edward Leung Hei, who represents Hong Kong Island East in the Legislative Council, said he is shocked by the reports of serious rat manifestation and called on authorities to strengthen anti-rodent efforts around Quarry Bay Park.
Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan has announced a city-wide anti-rodent mission that will begin next week, with the target being to cut the city's rodent black spots by half.
