Your gophers are getting the good stuff, Calgary
Alright, folks, buckle up, because I just heard something on the wire that made me spill my coffee, and not even because the Flames lost last night. Ottawa, yes, *Ottawa*, has authorized the emergency use of strychnine out here in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Why, you ask? To fight a gopher infestation. Seriously, Richardson's ground squirrels, apparently, are causing millions of dollars in damage, and the feds are like, "Alright, bring out the big guns." I'm not making this up.
Now, for real though, this isn't just about a few cute critters messing up your backyard garden in Bridgeland. This is about serious agricultural damage impacting our farmers and, let's be honest, our economy. We talk a lot about oil and gas, but agriculture is the backbone of this province, and when something threatens that, it's a big deal. The fact that it's an "emergency authorization" tells you it's not just a run-of-the-mill problem. It's like the gophers decided to stage their own mini-Stampede and just kept on digging.
### So, What's the Gopher Lowdown?
* **The Problem:** Richardson's ground squirrels are causing millions in damage to crops and infrastructure across Alberta and Saskatchewan. * **The Solution:** Ottawa approved the "controlled and time-limited emergency use of strychnine." * **The Impact:** This is meant to protect our agricultural sector, which is huge for Alberta's economy and our food supply.
This is Calgary — we've seen the boom, we've seen the bust, and we showed up anyway. And apparently, we're now showing up with strychnine for gophers. It's just another day in Alberta where you realize the challenges are sometimes a little more... rural than what you find walking down Stephen Avenue. This reminds you that even with all our city hustle, we're still deeply connected to the land and the industries that keep us going.
Cassidy Redcloud, MiTL Sports Desk, Calgary.
You gotta hear the crew talk about this on the Morning Wire; stream it live at mornings.live.