Rats Served in China, Despite SARS

AnimalPlanet.com ^ | Dec. 22, 2003

[Apollo]

A restaurant in southern China's Guangdong province is doing a brisk business in rat dishes, ignoring all warnings to stop serving wildlife to prevent the spread of SARS, state media said Sunday.

The eatery, in the city of Zhuhai, sells more than 100 rats a day, the Xinxishibao or Information Times reported.

Some of the rats are caught in farm fields, while others are from the mountains.

Southern Chinese believe rodents are safe to eat or turn into wine if they are caught in the countryside. However, regardless of whether they are from rural or urban areas, they can transmit diseases, the report quoted experts as saying.

The outbreak of SARS in Guangdong last November did not discourage local residents — known for their taste for exotic dishes — from their eating habits.

Scientists from China and elsewhere found the SARS virus in several types of wildlife, including rats, and the government forbade vendors from selling wild animals, especially endangered animals.

Officials also tried to discourage people from eating such creatures, but the practice — part of Guangdong culture — continues.

Rats served by the restaurant can be bigger than 20 centimeters (eight inches) in length, the report said.

The restaurant skins the rodents by putting them in a pot of melted asphalt, it said. Their skin comes off when the cooled asphalt is peeled off of them.

SARS infected almost 8,500 people and killed nearly 800 worldwide before it was brought under control mid-year.

China was the epidemic's country of origin and also its main victim, accounting for 349 fatalities and 5,327 infections, of which 193 deaths were in Beijing.

[Apollo]

Yuck!

[EggsAckley]

rodents are safe to eat or turn into wine

WINE!?!

[thoughtomator]

The Chinese wouldn't stop serving the 'Rats, not after all the free missile tech they got ;)

[SandRat]

I can think of more than a couple of 'RATS to put on a spit and slow roast.

[mrsmith]

"Rats served by the restaurant "

... MUST be wearing shirts and shoes. No exceptions!

[BobS]

Oh yummy!

How about a pate' of cockroaches too?

[billorites]

You can substitute rat in any recipe that calls for nutria.

[RipSawyer]

rodents are safe to eat or turn into wine
WINE!?!


Whassamatter, didn't youse ever have a glass of warm rat wine?

[EggsAckley]

[Tribune7]

Southern Chinese believe rodents are safe to eat or turn into wine

Rat wine? Serve it chilled. Perfect for a sunny spring picnic or sipping while you lounge around the pool.

[PJ-Comix]

The restaurant skins the rodents by putting them in a pot of melted asphalt, it said.

YUMMIE! I've always liked rats with that distinct asphalt undertaste. Just like grandma used to make!

[PJ-Comix]

The restaurant skins the rodents by putting them in a pot of melted asphalt, it said.

Take NUTRIE and you can form this anagram: UNI RAT.

[PJ-Comix]

Oops! Typo. NUTRIA forms the anamgram: UNI RAT.

[Bruce Kurtz]

I'd like to get some of this rat wine and asphalt marinated rat for my rat nephew lawyer next year for Christmas

[Burn24]

Yes, in interior China vendors of grilled rat on a stick are quite common. But I've never heard of rat wine!!

[Tribune7]

I'd like to get some of this rat wine and asphalt marinated rat for my rat nephew lawyer next year for Christmas

That would be very, very gouche since it would be dangerously close to cannibalism.

[Clay Moore]

And all I get for Christmas dinner is turkey. Waaaaaaa!

[dozer7]

" YUMMIE! I've always liked rats with that distinct asphalt undertaste. Just like grandma used to make!"

Yup just before the health department shut her down. (just kidding)

[Tacis]

Well, democrats do get hungry, too, you know. Delivering US military secrets, picking up large quantities of cash for the DNC and working to destory the US is work that can really stoke an appetite. When the rats go into a local Chinese restaurant, of course they will be served.