News
Parla City Council acts urgently after the proliferation of water voles in one of its main green areas.
Parque del Universo, one of the spaces most frequented by Parla residents, has been temporarily closed because of an unusual proliferation of water voles (Arvicola sapidus), a species native to Iberian wetlands. The decision, taken by the City Council at the end of July 2025, responds to the need to curb an infestation that has particularly affected the lake shores and wetland areas of the site.
During the closure days, from 28 to 30 July, a special operation coordinated by the Public Health department has been carried out. The plan includes traps, specific baits and a thorough cleaning of the aquatic environment, with the aim of restoring the park's sanitary conditions. To guarantee safety, access for people and pets has been restricted during the work. Although these rats do not represent as high a health risk as other urban species, their high presence constitutes an ecological imbalance that concerns experts and residents. On social media, several citizens have expressed their discontent at what they consider to be a late response by the council. Some warn of the danger that the rodent colony may move to other green areas in the municipality if action is not taken more broadly.
The Concejalía de Salud Pública has recalled that feeding animals in the park, such as ducks or birds, indirectly contributes to the spread of these rodents by making food available to them. It has also pointed out that this type of pest tends to increase during warm and humid months, when urban parks offer shelter and resources to opportunistic species. The reopening of the park will depend on the technical results of the control operation. Until then, a call is being made for public cooperation and respect for preventive rules to avoid new situations of this kind in the future.