Colosseum Rat Infestation: Rome Calls for Intense Cleaning of Establishment That Once Hosted Gladiator Battles

The Colosseum is an ancient establishment located in the heart of Rome, Italy, dating back to the Roman Empire. Made entirely of concrete, it is an elliptical amphitheater that once hosted gladiator battles after it was built around 72 AD. Currently located east of the Roman Forum; the Colosseum is still the largest structure of its kind. Even after almost 2000 years, it remains a tourist attraction but is threatened by small mammals: rats.

Earlier this week, Rome officials have called for the intense sanitation of the Colosseum, with cleaners armed with shovels, according to local sources. The growing Colosseum rat infestation gained ground on social media as tourists took videos of the rodents, which are seemingly seeking refuge amid this week's heatwave in the Italian capital. The infestation comes amid the reported estimate of 7 million rats living in the city.

Colosseum Rat Infestation

(Photo : Photo by Mike Swigunski on Unsplash)

For years, Rome has been tackling the issue of waste pollution, including in areas around the Colosseum. Compounded with the heatwave, tourists have reportedly left waste such as plastic bottles, food residues, and other debris after visiting ancient Roman monuments. Just like other pests, the rodents in the Italian city not only flocked to the said waste but also may have also taken shelter in the large columns of the Colosseum.

Rats have been seen on social media wandering the park and grounds surrounding the Colosseum, an unusual event that went viral on social media. Due to the sanitary issue, the capital's city council has launched a "special intervention" to tackle the infestation of rats.

Also Read: Glasgow Rat Infestation: Increased Sightings 'Worrying' as Cases Rise to Over 10,000

Colosseum Clean-Up Operation

The clean-up operation for the Colosseum rat infestation was deemed successful as Rome's city government on August 26 , according to a local report, which confirmed that the combination of influx of tourists, leftover rubbish, and scorching temperatures contributed to the rodent infestation in the ancient amphitheater.

Although local authorities announced the situation is now under control, the clean-up operation will continue next week, wherein workers are expected to clean green areas around the Colosseum and drainage pipes known as a breeding ground for rats in urban areas.

Urban Rat Infestation

Rat infestation in some urban areas is common, since these metropolitan areas filled with a dense human populace and commercial food establishments that attracts rodents.

In the U.S., the top five cities with the highest cases of rat infestation are as follows, as compiled by the website AZ Animals in June 2023:

Chicago, Illinois
New York City, New York
Los Angeles, California
Washington, District of Columbia
San Francisco, California

Rat infestations can be considered as a public health issue since they threaten not only humans but also other animals, including pets.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), rats and mice carry various diseases, which can spread directly to humans in ways such as: handling of rodents, physical contact with rodent feces, urine, or saliva, and consuming contaminated food with rodent waste or bites.