Wildlife Experts Advocate Trapping and Cooking Invasive Rodents Plaguing U.S. Communities

Invasive Nutria Rodents Threaten U.S. Ecosystems: Public Urged to Hunt and Cook Them

[Image Suggestion: Nutria with distinctive orange teeth, swimming in wetlands.]

An invasive rodent from South America, the nutria, is wreaking havoc across the U.S., prompting officials to urge Americans to hunt, kill, and even cook the species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) warns that nutria—large, rat-like creatures—threaten wetlands, agriculture, and public health by spreading diseases like tuberculosis and septicemia.

Destructive Habits and Appearance
Nutria resemble beavers but have arched backs, long, thin tails, and bright orange teeth. They weigh up to 20 pounds and grow over two feet long. Their voracious appetite destroys marsh vegetation, destabilizing ecosystems. "They turn wetlands into disaster zones," said FWS. Each nutria consumes 25% of its body weight daily, damaging 10 times more than they eat by burrowing into levees and eroding soil.

[Image Suggestion: Side-by-side comparison of nutria and beaver.]

Rapid Reproduction and Spread
Females produce up to 27 offspring annually, breeding year-round with litters of 2–9 young. With no natural predators, infestations now plague Louisiana, Texas, California, Oregon, Maryland, and other states. The rodents thrive near water sources, contaminating environments with parasites like liver flukes.

A Problem Decades in the Making
Nutria were introduced to California in the 1890s for the fur trade, peaking in popularity in the 1930s when Hollywood stars donned nutria fur. After the market crashed in the 1940s, thousands escaped or were released. Today, they’ve destroyed thousands of acres of marshes, endangering fish, crabs, and birds.

Fight Back: Hunting and Cooking
To curb populations, FWS encourages turning nutria into cuisine, comparing its meat to rabbit or turkey. A 1963 cookbook even features recipes like nutria gumbo. "Check local regulations for hunting and cooking guidelines," advises FWS. California has banned nutria importation and transport, while states like Washington and Oregon permit regulated hunting.

[Image Suggestion: Nutria meat dish, such as gumbo or stew.]

Current Eradication Efforts
Since 2017, over 5,000 nutria have been culled in California, with nearly 1,000 removed from the Bay Area alone. While shooting is allowed outside cities, wildlife officers use euthanasia in urban zones. Authorities stress urgency: "Each nutria eliminated helps protect our ecosystems," said a California Fish and Wildlife official.

Report Sightings
Residents in affected states are urged to report nutria sightings to local agencies. With collaboration, officials hope to prevent further wetland devastation and disease spread.

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