R.O.U.S. In Zambia

If you've watched the movie, Princess Bride, you're familiar with R.O.U.S. (Rodents Of Unusual Size). For some time our gardener on loan from the Roberts, Charles, has been attempting to catch a bush rat he discovered. Bush rats are quite a delicacy to Zambians and are said to be good eating.

His trap consisted of a paint can, a strip of rubber, string, and a stick. He attached food to the end of the string, the idea being that the rat would trigger the string which triggers the stick and
somehow snap the lid shut via the rubber strip.

Well, Charles was here on Thursday but we didn't notice the paint can was closed until Saturday. No telling how long the rat had been captured. Tracy called Charles right away to let him know, but since Charles was sick he was unsure when he could come to get it. We talked to one of Makeni's workers this morning to see if he could dress the critter, but he didn't know how.

Fearful that P.E.T.A. might call us (not really) we decided to release the rat. Actually we were right in line with the organization on this one~we didn't want to see it needlessly suffer.

After prying the rubber loose from the lid Tracy took a stick to encourage the rodent out of the can. It had stopped scratching and we were concerned it had died. The can also really smelled foul, adding to our concern. We just did not expect it to be so big! There
was no room for wiggle in the paint can.

Finally, after plopping out onto the ground, the critter began ambling away towards its nest. Its legs must've been numb from being cramped as it crawled away like a drunkard. We were unsure it was going to make it so we prodded it a little with a stick. We also gave it some water and food which it promptly plowed into and spilled. Probably in shock, the rodent crawled a little then stopped like it was dead.

Last time I checked on it, the rat had moved considerably farther, so maybe it will make it. Now, do you believe in R.O.U.S.?