Visitor flow To Serra de Collserola Natural Park (Barcelona) dropped over the weekend Due to restrictions caused by African swine fever, although this has not been done equally depending on accessibility. From the slope of Valles Occidental, the decrease in the number of hikers and cyclists reached 90%. instead of, Since Barcelona it has decreased by between 5% and 71%.
This was detailed to ACN by the managing director of the consortium that runs the park, Raymond Rudawho called keep the “sacrifice” Until the alert passes regarding the risk of the virus spreading among wild pigs. Roda indicated that they have stopped all activities up to the Purisima Bridge and are considering extending the restrictions after December 8.
There are environmentally friendly computers for park visitors, distributed at the entrances to various municipalities This weekend there were about 16,500 fewer hikers and bikers found than seven days ago. According to data obtained by the Association of Churches, on November 22 and 23, about 26,400 people passed through these barriers, while about 9,900 people passed during the past two days.
Uneven decline
However, the decrease was variable depending on the access point. In the case of Valles Occidental, from Pi d’en These discounts range between 3,000 and 2,000 people. The decline was also notable in the percentage of crowd attendance from Sant Feliu de Llobregat (-87.80%).
On the other hand, environmental PCs for arrival ports from the Catalan capital recorded a smaller difference. In the Santa Cruz Dolorda area, for example, it has fallen only 5.53% since then. There is a restaurant very close by and people with reservations can access it without restrictions.. When arriving from Pla de Maduixers and Sarrià, the decrease in the number of visitors due to restrictions was 35.56%. In the environmental PCs of the Xiprers area, the decrease was 71.22%.
Roda admitted that “it was difficult to convey the restrictions to citizens from Friday to Saturday,” and stressed that it was observed that the number of visitors decreased on Sunday in general. He pointed out that they did Effort with staff and local police To inform those who want to access the natural park.
“We must educate citizens. We can put up some tapes, but it is impossible for the park to be closed.” He pointed out. This Monday, regular trekkers have stopped their treks and the information center is receiving many calls to clarify doubts.
In general, visitation activity to the building is minimal. The only movement of people in the environment is associated with Work and school activities, They are the only permitted reasons to use the main forest trails.
Canceled activities
From their consortium Seven licensed activities have been cancelled over the weekend, including a race with more than 500 registered people. Family activities related to Christmas have also been suspended until December 8, without ruling out the possibility of extending the restrictions beyond that.
Rhoda reminded that the African swine fever alert coincides with many children searching for the virus in the forests. He appealed to families to show them that “wild creatures can be intelligent enough to know that they do not necessarily have to look for them in Collserola, but that They can be found with children in other alternative places.
“joint effort”
The managing director of the consortium confirmed that Collserola Natural Park is one of the main places prohibited for prevention, “but No wild boar infected with African swine fever or dead pigs were found. She is suspected of being infected with the disease.” He confirmed that the cases were positive It was discovered near Bellaterra. Since Collserola Park is so close, he said it was necessary to do soA joint “effort” to deploy “strong measures” to prevent the spread of the disease and its loss of control Inside the garden. It is estimated that the current wild boar population is approx 900 copies.
While UME, rural agents and ADF work in forests for e.gReducing the movement of these animals To detect possible dead infected specimens, Ruda urged citizens to cooperate to avoid provoking the pigs. “There is no need to panic if we see a wild boar, because it will stay close to homes in areas such as Valvidrera, but extreme precautions can be taken when managing litter,” he stressed.
In this sense, the consortium Intensify waste collection To avoid gatherings in boxes and containers, “which can attract wild hogs and encourage their interaction,” she also asks people to “exercise extreme caution” until further notice. In addition to avoiding the accumulation of garbage, this is requested Do not offer food intended for cat colonies. Since wild boars also often approach these feeders.