FRESNO, CA (KMJ) We’ve been reporting on the invasive Nutria in the valley for a few years, yet the problem persists.
The pesky rodent continues to reproduce and cause problems for farmers and protected wildlife areas in Fresno, Merced, Stanislaus and Solano Counties.
Now a new solution is being pitched by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. EAT ‘EM!
Captive Nutria at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, Eustis, Christine, Public Domain
“Eating invasive species can help protect native wildlife by reducing their numbers and limiting the damage they cause to ecosystems,” reads a statement released recently by CDFW. “However, it’s not a complete solution and should be combined with other conservation efforts to effectively control these species.”
But are they tasty?
According to Nutria.com, the semi-aquatic animals taste like dark turkey meat and work well in stews and sausages.
Nutria can grow to the size of a small dog and are native to South America.
Imported from fur farms, nutria were released in the Louisiana marshes in the 1930s. They eventually made their way west.
California officials considered them eradicated in the 1970’s but the critter’s population spiked again in 2017.
Nutria are highly destructive, especially to wetlands. The rodents eat up to a quarter of their body weight in vegetation daily. Their feeding habits destabilize soil structures, which can result in erosion and habitat loss.
