Nutrias in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: Danger to people and nature!

Nutrias in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: Danger to people and nature!

In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the growing population of nutrias, also known as water rats or swamp beavers, is causing excitement. These animals, originally bred on farms to provide fur, are increasingly spreading throughout the region. As stern.de reports, the number of nutrias hunted has increased dramatically in recent years - from just 143 a decade ago to over 4,000 in the current hunting season. A study by the Ministry of the Environment has already documented 348 discovery points by 2023, which corresponds to an increase of around 60 since 2018.

The Ludwigslust-Parchim district is particularly affected, where an impressive 2,868 animals were shot. A high number of 934 nutrias were also recorded in the Northwest Mecklenburg district. In contrast, the hunting numbers in Rostock and the Vorpommern-Rügen district are worryingly low - no nutrias have been shot there since the opening of the 2017 hunting season, possibly due to the unsuitable hunting area structure.

Hidden dangers and damage

The rapid reproduction of these animals not only endangers their own population, but also the safety of people and infrastructure. Nutrias dig under embankments, dykes and dams, which can not only result in injuries from breaking vehicles and people, but also cause critical dike breaches and thus pose a significant risk to the stability of hydraulic structures. According to ndr.de, a hunt for nutrias is therefore urgently required in order to avoid further damage.

Hunters in the region have already received “roller bonuses” for animals killed, increasing the incentive to hunt. Nutrias have increasingly become a topic of discussion about invasive species in Germany, as explained in an article by nationalgeographic.de. This discussion also includes the question of how best to deal with species that cause damage to local ecosystems. The German Hunting Association (DJV) emphasizes the importance of reducing the nutria population in order to counteract the danger to the native fauna.

Wildlife management challenges

The nutria, which was introduced to Germany between 1890 and 1920, threatens riparian vegetation through its digging habits and endangers native biological diversity. As part of further wildlife management, NABU Germany is calling for an approach that prioritizes non-hunting methods to deal with the challenges of invasive species. Birte Brechlin, a representative of NABU, emphasizes that the causes of the growth of such populations must be addressed. There are currently over 1,000 alien animal species on German soil, with around 300 of them already considered established.

The topic of nutria goes far beyond the mere number of animals killed. It points to greater challenges in dealing with invasive species, whose negative impacts on native ecosystems cannot be ignored. Active and responsible management is essential to maintain the balance between people, nature and the numerous species that live on our soil.