Rodents the Size of St. Bernards Swarm an Exclusive Gated Community

WSJ ^ | 10 Oct 2021 | Silvina Frydlewsky

[DUMBGRUNT]

The lavish villas of Nordelta have for years hosted bucolic getaways for Argentina’s wealthy, protected in an enclave where industry titans and soccer stars seek escape from the torments of city life.

Yet even an exclusive gated community can’t keep out the world’s biggest rodent.

“The problem is that their population is out of control, and people are too scared to do anything. No one wants to look like they’re opposed to nature.”

Mr. Iglesias’s lakeside garden gets a daily serving of jumbo scat ...

The big rodents, which typically live in family units of as many as 40 animals, go by different names in various countries: chigüire in Venezuela, ronsoco in Peru, poncho in Panama and carpincho in Argentina. Females can give birth to half a dozen offspring a year.

They sunbathe and graze at man-made lagoons, protected from such natural predators as jaguars and caimans, the South American alligator.

Another idea: Castrate males.

[DUMBGRUNT]

I was all but certain it was democRATS they were talking about...

A common mistake, I'm sure.

[BipolarBob]

It’s an easy mistake. They are so similar that the confusion is forgivable.

[DUMBGRUNT]

Full TXT:
https://archive.vn/Ez8Wx/again?url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/rodents-the-size-of-st-bernards-swarm-an-exclusive-gated-community-11633882543

[SES1066]

In Texas, there is a similar problem with wild boars BUT the difference is that Texans have long guns and will use them. Thus it is a real nuisance but not to the Argentine level here!

[fidelis]

Sounds like a lucrative business opportunity for some enterprising Argentine. Catch and release out in the jungle.

[teeman8r]

I guess they taste bad.

[SaveFerris]

Hola!

https://images.app.goo.gl/triAgPNwAT4NJRho8

[Hildy]

Here's the solution:

[Atomic Vomit]

Ya gotta wonder who is going to volunteer for the job of castrating a rat the size of a St. Bernard.

New career path, probably with money courtesy of the U.S. taxpayer.
See how rough this winter is, we might all be volunteering for the job in the Spring.

Mrs AV

[SaveFerris]

This is a rat burger?

In fact, best burger I’ve ever had.

Hey, a 4-4-2.

[Hot Tabasco]

.30 cal PCP air rifles would take care of the problem..............

[Flick Lives]

Rodents of unusual size.

[Pollard]

[DUMBGRUNT]

--"I guess they taste bad."

They also star as a grilled delicacy in rural parts of South America.

[ConjunctionJunction]

I did a quick search and found some nice looking handbags and shoes made from carpincho (Argentina).

[Kevmo]

I don’t think they really exist.

[SaveFerris]

Don’t drive angry!

[dowcaet]

Their hides are valuable in Argentina and Brazil, but in Venezuela their meat is considered a delicacy.

[DUMBGRUNT]

Capybara leather men jacket, shoes and wallets too.

https://elboyero.com/en/men-s-leather-clothing/265-capybara-leather-men-jacket-el-boyero.html

[Carriage Hill]

The capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) is a giant cavy rodent native to South America. It is the largest living rodent and a member of the genus Hydrochoerus.