The Parque del Universo, green lung for the neighbors of Parla, has had to close its doors exceptionally at the end of July 2025 due to an invasion of water rats. The City Council decreed the closure of the enclosure after finding that the usual methods of rodent control were not sufficient to eradicate the plague, which has proliferated especially around the lake and wetlands of the park.
The massive presence of these animals surprised the population at the beginning of the summer, increasing concern about the park’s health and the possible effect on pets and local fauna. Water rats, despite not being carriers of diseases as serious as other urban rodents, are a risk to the ecological balance of the environment. Neighbors have criticized in social networks and local forums the slowness of the municipal response, warning that, by closing only the Parque del Universo, the plague could move to new parts of the city.
During the days of closure -from July 28 to 30-, the City Council executes a shock treatment coordinated by the Public Health area, consisting of the placement of baits and specific traps, in addition to the intensive cleaning of the sheet of water and banks. For safety reasons, the access of people and pets is forbidden during the works, and an appeal has been made to the neighbors to collaborate by avoiding feeding the animals in the park, particularly ducks and waterfowl, because the supply of food favors the proliferation of water rats and hinders their control.
Why are water rats proliferating?
Authorities explain that the episode highlights the minor complications of managing the coexistence between nature and urban life in municipalities with large green areas close to residential areas. Experts recall that water rat infestations become worse in warm and rainy seasons, when they find easy access to food and shelter, turning parks and urban lakes into ideal habitats.
The reopening of the Universe Park will be effective only when the technical reports guarantee the absence of health risks for people and domestic fauna. In the meantime, the Department of Public Health insists on prevention as the main measure for the future: raising awareness about the importance of not feeding animals in public spaces and keeping a permanent watch on possible sources of pests.