The war in Afghanistan isn't just against al-Qaida, it's also against hamsters and other varmints.
According to The Wall Street Journal, a few good Americans stationed in the country are not there to battle terrorists, but to battle birds that might shut down a jet engine in flight, as well Indian crested porcupines, golden jackals, gray dwarf hamsters and Libyan jirds, a sort of giant gerbil.
George Graves, 57, is the equivalent to David Petraeus (emphasis on the pet, of course) in this battle, and he is perfectly qualified for the position, since he has been a veteran rat trapper since he was a kid growing up in Wichita, Kan.
These days, all the remains from the animals he traps and kills are sent to the Smithsonian Institution, to build up its research collection of genetic material from Afghan mammals.
Not only is it contributing to airfield safety, Graves said, but it's also contributing to science worldwide. It's kind of a win-win situation. Except for the animals, of course.
Article link: http://www.aolnews.com/2011/03/02/the-war-on-hamsters-rages-on-in-afghanistan/
