Calls are growing louder in Amsterdam for the city to embrace its rat population, as experts argue that these rodents are no more harmful than other urban wildlife like bats or pigeons.
Animal scientist Maite van Gerwen is challenging the stigma attached to rats and advocating for a shift in public perception. Dismissing fears of disease transmission, van Gerwen encourages citizens to reconsider their prejudices against these often maligned creatures.
In an interview with Amsterdam’s Het Parool newspaper, van Gerwen stated, “Where there are people, there are rats. Why do we welcome certain animals into our urban environment while demonizing others? In newly constructed buildings, provisions are made for bats to nest, yet rats are targeted with traps, glue boards, and poisons.”
Van Gerwen emphasizes that rats can actually benefit the city’s ecosystem. She points out that sewer workers appreciate the presence of rats because these animals help prevent blockages by consuming excess fat residue from the sewer system. In essence, rats play a crucial role in waste management and recycling within the urban environment.
This call to embrace coexistence with rats challenges traditional pest control methods and seeks to foster a more harmonious relationship between humans and urban wildlife in Amsterdam.
