"They don't belong here and they need to be controlled."

There are more aliens invading the U.S. These are threatening crops, wildlife and ultimately the citizens of Florida.

GRASSY KEY, Florida (Reuters) - Deep in the heart of the Florida Keys, wildlife officials are laying bait laced with poison to try to wipe out a colony of enormous African rats that could threaten crops and other animals.

U.S. federal and state officials are beginning the final phase of a two-year project to eradicate the Gambian pouched rats, which can grow to the size of a cat and began reproducing in the remote area about eight years ago.

The story states that this population came from escapees from an exotic pet breeder.

This species is now banned from importation after another population began to spread monkey pox, related to human small pox, to prairie dogs.

When contacted by this blogger Sen. Kennedy's office would neither confirm or deny that they are proposing an amnesty plan for the Gambian pouched rats. The Gambian pouched rats, however, are planning mass demonstrations, carrying the Gambian flag for the near future.