Eating Nutria Could Help Save California's Marshlands

The nutria, an invasive swamp-dwelling rodent, is causing significant damage to California's ecosystems. Originally brought from South America for their fur, nutria have become a destructive force in the state's marshlands. These rodents consume up to one-fourth of their body weight in vegetation daily, leading to the destruction of native plant communities and soil structures, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). Their burrowing behavior further threatens levees and structural foundations.

In response, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is encouraging Californians to hunt and eat nutria as a means of population control. The agency launched a campaign with the slogan, "Save a Swamp, Sauté a Nutria," urging residents to consider the rodent as a food source. Nutria are about two feet long and weigh between 15 to 20 pounds, providing ample meat for dishes like gumbo or stew.

The nutria population in California has grown rapidly since the latest infestation was discovered in 2017. The CDFW has removed nearly 5,500 nutria from wetlands, with significant numbers found in Merced, Fresno, Stanislaus, and Solano counties. The rodents are prolific breeders, with females capable of having up to three litters a year.

Efforts to control the nutria population are critical, as their presence poses a threat to rare and endangered species that inhabit the marshlands. For those interested in cooking nutria, recipes are available at Nutria.com, including nutria chili and stuffed nutria hindquarters.