Save Wetlands by Eating Nutria, Says U.S. Fish and Wildlife
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is urging Americans to help control invasive nutria by adding them to their menus. As part of National Invasive Species Week (Feb 24-28), officials highlight how these rodents, native to South America, have caused significant damage to U.S. wetlands. Originally brought to Louisiana in the 1930s for the fur trade, nutria escaped into the wild and rapidly multiplied.
A single nutria can weigh up to 20 pounds and consume its body weight in vegetation daily, leading to the destruction of nearly 90,000 acres of coastal wetlands annually before control efforts began.
Thanks to hunting incentives, such as $6-per-tail bounties, the damage has dropped to about 5,500 acres per year. However, nutria populations continue to expand along the Atlantic Coast and into California.
While eating rodents may sound unusual, nutria meat is lean, mild, and similar to rabbit. It can be prepared in a variety of ways, including nutria gumbo, tacos, and even smoked or grilled.
Older cookbooks feature dishes like “nutria-bacon rolls” and “macaroni-nutria casserole.” As with all wild game, it’s important to cook it thoroughly to avoid contamination.
If nutria isn’t your thing, National Invasive Species Week also highlights other eco-friendly options, such as invasive carp, feral hogs, and even green iguanas. Yummy!
