The wildlife authorities in California, USA, have started a campaign encouraging residents to consume 'Nutria,' a type of large rodent, as food, drawing attention. This initiative aims to reduce ecological damage caused by Nutria through promoting its consumption.
According to The Guardian and others on the 5th (local time), American wildlife experts are suggesting California residents add Nutria to their regular diet, saying "Nutria tastes similar to rabbit or turkey meat." This is to reduce the population of Nutria, an invasive species disrupting the ecosystem.
Previously, local authorities removed about 5,500 Nutria from California wetlands by early last month. Since the end of last month, coinciding with 'National Invasive Species Awareness Week,' they have been encouraging Nutria consumption through a campaign promoting it as food.
Nutria, a type of large rodent originally living in the wetlands of South American countries such as Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay, was introduced to the United States for the fur trade and later established populations in 18 states.
According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Nutria threaten California’s ecosystem by destroying habitats due to their voracious appetite. Growing up to 102 cm in length, Nutria consume plants equivalent to up to one-quarter of their body weight daily, causing severe damage to surrounding wetland ecosystems.
As Nutria disrupt ecosystems, the U.S. government launched a large-scale eradication effort in the 1970s. Nutria were believed to have been eradicated in California during the 1970s, but their population has been rapidly increasing again since 2017. In this situation, wildlife authorities have begun encouraging Nutria hunting and consumption as a method to reduce ecological damage.
Erin Huggins, a spokesperson for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said, "Utilizing invasive species as food helps reduce their population and minimize ecological damage, aiding in the protection of native wildlife." She added, "However, this alone cannot be a complete solution and must be combined with other conservation efforts."
Meanwhile, in South Korea, Nutria are also designated as an invasive species, mainly inhabiting the Nakdong River basin, where they cause ecological destruction and have become a nuisance.
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