Project Armageddon wants to see Parisians cohabitate in harmony with rats

By Charlie Sawyer

Published Jun 12, 2023 at 04:56 PM

Reading time: 1 minute

45625

When you live in a big city, at one point or another, you eventually get used to the pretty harrowing reality that you’ll end up having to share your space with the resident rodents. Whether you’re in London, Paris, New York City or another major metropolis, spotting rats on the street is a regular occurrence, and discovering chewed up TV wires and WiFi cables is just another day in the concrete jungle. So, how could we address this issue? Will we be victims to rodent supremacy forever? Or could there be another way?

On 9 June 2023, Anne Souyris, Paris’ deputy mayor in charge of public health, shared a statement on Twitter which she had sent to the High Council of Public Health in the French capital. A concerned citizen and public official, Souyris—alongside Geoffroy Boulard, head of Paris’ 17th arrondissement and a member of the centre-right Republican party—has made it evidently clear that it’s crucial politicians take a stronger approach regarding the sheer volume of rats running amuck in the city of love.

https://twitter.com/annesouyris/status/1667114068400807940?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1667114068400807940%7Ctwgr%5Ea409e9899dc659068987121cb46ba042b9f0992f%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.insider.com%2Fcan-humans-and-rates-just-live-together-paris-new-york-2023-6

So, what exactly is the plan? And what’s Project Armageddon?

Project Armageddon is an ongoing study financed by the French government. As explained by Souyris, the study was brought about in order to try and find out to what extent humans and rats can live together in a way that is “the most efficient and at the same time ensure that it’s not unbearable for Parisians.”

According to CNN, animal rights group Paris Animaux Zoopolis (PAZ) has welcomed the city’s decision. In a statement, the group shared: “Rats are present in Paris, as in all major French cities, so the question of cohabitation necessarily arises. At PAZ, when we talk about ‘peaceful cohabitation’ with rats, we don’t mean living with them in our houses and apartments, but making sure that these animals don’t suffer and that we’re not disturbed. Again, a very reasonable objective!”

Paris is the eighth most rat-infested city in the western world, and during the recent widespread sanitation worker protests, the area became almost uninhabitable—with mounds of garbage piling up in the streets.

It’s unknown how much longer the study will take, and indeed what the results may show. But it’s safe to say that this kind of a rat problem won’t be fixed with a few dozen exterminators, it’s going to take something much more complex.

Keep On Reading

By Abby Amoakuh

Leaked voice note of Molly-Mae Hague talking about Tommy Fury’s infidelity goes viral on TikTok

By Abby Amoakuh

Bridgerton event compared to Glasgow Willy Wonka experience after guests paid $250 for raw food

By Abby Amoakuh

How did TikToker Logan’s viral cucumber recipe send an influencer to the hospital?

By Louis Shankar

BlueSky sees 300% surge in users after 2024 US presidential election

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Bhad Bhabie accuses Alabama Barker of stealing her boyfriend in since-deleted post

By Abby Amoakuh

Gracie Abrams claps back at fans after they petition to replace Dora Jar as her opening act

By Charlie Sawyer

Viral Disney Pixar character TikTok filter faces backlash for alleged discrimination

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Did Woah Vicky fake her kidnapping? Exploring her most viral and controversial moments

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Tampons contain arsenic, lead, and other toxic metals, study confirms

By Abby Amoakuh

Who is Belle Gibson, the Australian scammer who inspired Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar?

By Charlie Sawyer

The Taliban just banned the media from airing images of anything with a soul

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

German island to scrap controversial Christmas tradition of hitting women brutally with cow horns

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

The Summer I Turned Pretty star Gavin Casalegno accused of repeatedly cheating on his wife

By Abby Amoakuh

Man behind Glasgow Willy Wonka experience put on sex offenders list for abusive behaviour

By Abby Amoakuh

First ever porn app launches on iOS devices to coincide with iPhone’s 18th birthday

By Charlie Sawyer

Blake Lively’s allegations against Justin Baldoni: Why perfect victim narratives must end

By Charlie Sawyer

With the West turning a blind eye to the Taliban’s brutal oppression, Afghan women show their defiance

By Charlie Sawyer

Is Lana Del Rey dating alligator tour guide Jeremy Dufrene to prep for her upcoming country album?

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

I had to sign away my freedom to tell their story: A photojournalist on documenting Afghan women under the Taliban

By Fleurine Tideman

Better in Person: The no-BS anti-fuck boy dating app that claims to transform your love life