This is the Year of the Rat, in more ways than one. Even before the Chinese New Year began, rats were the talk of this town, after Denver officials said they’d be dispersing a homeless encampment near the State Capitol because rats in the park had created a public-health crisis. But while rats have grabbed recent headlines, they’re not the only urban animals that have been in the news lately.
Last year, stories about geese really took off after the Denver Department of Parks and Recreation put out a hit on the birds. In other years, Denver residents have fretted over rabid skunks, or pesky pigeons.
Here’s an overview of our urban zoo.
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Rats
In January, Denver officials warned of a rat infestation in Lincoln Park, a plot of state land outside the Capitol on Lincoln Street, explaining that was why it had moved a homeless encampment set up on the outskirts of the park. In the aftermath of the sweep, the word “rat” was seen and heard often in the media. Some of those who’d been living at the encampment even complained that the public was starting to view them as “dirty rat people.”
State officials have contracted with an exterminator — emphasis on exterminate — to solve the rodent problem. “I don’t anticipate them wanting to relocate rats, but again, we’re waiting for the pros to tell us all the necessary steps,” says Doug Platt, a spokesperson for the Colorado Department of Personnel and Administration, which is addressing the problem.
The Denver Department of Parks and Recreation also whacks rats whenever they start to infest a park.
“Rats are not considered ‘wildlife’ and fall under ‘pests,’” says Cindy Karvaski, a spokesperson for the department. “Yes, DPR does manage rats in city parks working with a pest-control agency.”
In January, Denver officials warned of a rat infestation in Lincoln Park, a plot of state land outside the Capitol on Lincoln Street, explaining that was why it had moved a homeless encampment set up on the outskirts of the park. In the aftermath of the sweep, the word “rat” was seen and heard often in the media. Some of those who’d been living at the encampment even complained that the public was starting to view them as “dirty rat people.”
State officials have contracted with an exterminator — emphasis on exterminate — to solve the rodent problem. “I don’t anticipate them wanting to relocate rats, but again, we’re waiting for the pros to tell us all the necessary steps,” says Doug Platt, a spokesperson for the Colorado Department of Personnel and Administration, which is addressing the problem.
The Denver Department of Parks and Recreation also whacks rats whenever they start to infest a park.
“Rats are not considered ‘wildlife’ and fall under ‘pests,’” says Cindy Karvaski, a spokesperson for the department. “Yes, DPR does manage rats in city parks working with a pest-control agency.”
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