Photo: "Two Billion" Rats Invade China Lake Towns



A worker catches rats in central China's Hunan Province on June 23, 2007. The rodents were driven to higher ground and into farmers' fields after the lake flooded and submerged rat holes in the area.

To combat damage to crops and a potential public health risk, residents have been using everything from poison to hammers—and even their bare hands—to kill the rodents.

Photograph by EyePress/AP


NEWS FEEDS    After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed. After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed.

Get our news delivered directly to your desktop—free.
How to Use XML or RSS

ADVERTISEMENT

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC'S PHOTO OF THE DAY

50 Drives of a Lifetime

Listen to your favorite National Geographic news daily, anytime, anywhere from your mobile phone. No wires or syncing. Download Stitcher free today.