Toronto’s rat population is growing faster than the rodents of New York City, Chicago or Amsterdam, according to a new study, illuminating how climate change and urbanization are turbo-charging rat growth in the absence of effective control strategies. Residents who have complained for years about a perceived rodent surge now have peer-reviewed evidence, published in the journal Science Advances on Friday, that lays bare the scale of Toronto’s problem. Of the 16 cities analyzed, Toronto had the third-fastest growing rat population. City officials have been tasked to produce a rat strategy by later this year, after two previous efforts were shelved. Currently, Toronto does not have a dedicated department or officer in charge of tackling its booming rat population. https://www.thestar.com/news/toronto-is-finally-beating-new-york-at-something-rat-growth-a-new-study-reveals-a/article_1f1f8210-ddb5-11ef-83f6-7320220a723a.html