Massive hunting numbers: Over 7,000 nutrias shot in Saxony-Anhalt!

Massive hunting numbers: Over 7,000 nutrias shot in Saxony-Anhalt!

The hunting season in Saxony-Anhalt caused a stir again this year. A total of 7,019 nutrias were shot in the 2024/25 hunting year. This number is considerable and shows that the hunt for these animals, which come from South America, has been intensively pursued for many years. For comparison: In 2006 there were only 474 nutrias that were available for hunting. A significant increase that cannot be overlooked - especially in recent years, when the number of nutrias killed has leveled off at around 7,000. This is reported by stern.de.

The highest number of nutrias hunted is recorded particularly in the north of Saxony-Anhalt, especially in the districts of Stendal and Altmarkkreis Salzwedel. Over 60% of the animals there fall victim to hunters. This development is not surprising, as nutrias reproduce with multiple litters all year round and are widespread throughout Saxony-Anhalt, especially along flowing and still waters. However, conservationists warn of potential damage to sensitive habitats that could result from the uncontrolled spread of this invasive species.

The trend towards invasive species

In Germany, hunting for nutrias is not only carried out in Saxony-Anhalt. Remarkably, the number of nutrias shot in the entire Federal Republic of Germany exceeded 101,108 in the 2020/21 hunting season. This corresponds to a 57-fold increase compared to 20 years ago, according to the German Hunting Association (DJV), which underlines the problem of this invasive species. Nutrias are among the hundred most problematic species in the world and are classified in Germany as an invasive species that causes damage to water protection dams and endangers reed belts through feeding. Here too, climate change, which favors mild winters, should not be underestimated, as it contributes to the spread of these animals, as ljv-sachsen.de reports.

Hunting for nutrias is particularly popular, also because over 70% of the specimens hunted come from North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony. Hunters therefore have a great interest in controlling invasive species, even if it is not always clear scientifically whether hunting actually contributes to nature conservation. According to wildtierschutz-deutschland.de there is no provable reason for the widespread hunting of nutrias; the claimed effectiveness in terms of population reduction or spread prevention remains questionable.

The challenge of eradication

A central concern remains the question of the need for action. While hunters are called upon to intensively hunt the nutria, conservation experts see complete eradication as unrealistic. There is only a need for action in cases in which concrete ecological or infrastructural damage is caused by the animals. So far, no significant damage to flood protection systems or injuries to people have been reported, which shows that a differentiated approach is necessary.

The discussion about nutrias and other invasive species such as raccoons and raccoon dogs will continue to be the order of the day in the future. Their control represents a balancing act between nature conservation and hunting interests, in which both ecological and economic factors must be taken into account. How the situation in Saxony-Anhalt and beyond will develop remains to be seen.