Rats! Paris shuts parks in war on 6m rodents
GAZING up at the Eiffel Tower, you would expect to find yourself surrounded by fellow tourists. But look down, and you’re likely to see some smaller, furrier visitors also enjoying the view.
For though it may sound like a scene from the film Ratatouille, the Paris landmark has found itself home to an expanding rat population – and the locals aren’t happy about it.
There are now six million rats living in Paris – roughly 2.5 per person – leading the capital to embark on a widespread ‘deratisation’ programme.
In a blow to tourists, the Champs de Mars park around the Eiffel Tower, as well as five other parks, will be temporarily shut as exterminators are called in. A statement released by the city council reads: ‘In order to stop the recent increase in rats in public spaces in Paris, a targeted action plan is being deployed.’
The authorities concede that ‘eradication is impossible’, but that ‘numbers must be reduced’ as quickly as possible.
Exits from sewers are being blocked, while bait is being laid to trap and destroy the vermin, which are associated with poor hygiene and disease.
Other control measures include introducing rat-proof rubbish bins, and cleaning up litter left on the streets as quickly as possible.