'Royal' and stray cats keep Museum rat-free

A group of over 100 cats are known to roam through the inner courts or leap atop the tiled roofs. Preferring quieter environments, they snub the hordes of tourists in favor of less accessible areas.

The Forbidden City, China's imperial palace for about 500 years, sees thousands of visitors enter its walls every day. But no one can call it home. Well, almost no one.

A group of over 100 cats are known to roam through the inner courts or leap atop the tiled roofs. Preferring quieter environments, they snub the hordes of tourists in favor of less accessible areas.

But the staff says the cats have been around for quite some time. In ancient times, emperors and their families were known to keep cats around.

A portion of those found in the Forbidden City today are believed to be their imperial descendants! And while the staff keeps the felines fed, the cats help keep the Museum nice and clean by keeping the rat population under control.