Beaver population proliferation in Germany is causing setbacks for wildlife conservation efforts - Nutrias multiplying in Germany, negatively impacting wildlife conservation efforts
In a recent announcement made in Berlin, the German Hunting Association (DJV) has advocated for a "political commitment to trapping" of nutrias, an invasive species that has been causing concern in urban areas across the country.
The high presence of nutrias in urban areas can be attributed to illegal feeding, climate advantages, and hunting restrictions. These factors have allowed the nutria population to thrive, with the number of nutrias in Germany doubling since 2015.
The city-state of Bremen has seen a significant increase in the presence of nutrias since 2015, with the species being present in 93% of its hunting grounds. Nutrias are also prevalent in Hamburg, albeit at a lower rate compared to Bremen, with 74% of its hunting grounds reporting their presence.
Nutrias are particularly common in urban areas due to their adaptability and high reproduction potential. Their activity is primarily observed during the day, further contributing to their impact on urban ecosystems.
The DJV's call for action comes as nutrias pose threats to both flood protection and native species. By burrowing into and weakening levees and embankments, nutrias increase the risk of flooding. Additionally, as they are not native to Germany and are generally considered invasive, they pose ecological risks to native ecosystems by damaging wetland vegetation and competing with indigenous species.
Control measures to mitigate the nutria population include hunting, trapping, and habitat management. Given the rapid spread and ecological impact of nutrias, the DJV is advocating for the inclusion of nutrias in the Federal Hunting Act, which would allow for the setting of seasons and capture limits for control purposes.
While direct German regulations were not detailed in the search results, similar measures are applied across Europe to manage nutria populations. A study evaluating data from 23,000 hunting grounds in Germany, covering over a third of the country's forest and agricultural area, found that nutrias were present in 35% of surveyed hunting grounds in 2023.
Most federal states in Germany have a hunting season or special permits for nutrias. However, the high presence of nutrias in urban areas, particularly in Bremen and Hamburg, poses challenges for effective control.
In addition to the ecological risks, nutrias have been found to destroy reed belts and undermine riverbanks and dikes in Germany. The South American nutria, which was introduced for fur farming, has spread widely, undermining flood defenses through its burrowing activity.
As the nutria population continues to grow, it is crucial that measures are taken to manage their impact on urban ecosystems and native species. The DJV's call for a political commitment to trapping and the inclusion of nutrias in the Federal Hunting Act is a step in the right direction towards addressing this growing concern.
- To combat the increasing nutria population and mitigate their impact on urban ecosystems and native species, the German Hunting Association (DJV) suggests the adoption of a community policy that includes vocational training for trappers and the inclusion of nutrias in the Federal Hunting Act for regulated hunting seasons.
- Given the health-and-wellness implications of climate change and the need for fitness-and-exercise to maintain a balanced lifestyle, it's essential to consider the role of environmental-science in addressing issues like the rapid spread and ecological impact of invasive nutria species and promoting sustainable solutions.
- As concerns regarding climate-change, nutrition, and urban development grow, incorporating environmental-science and health-and-wellness programs into vocational training curricula can provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to address these complex, interconnected issues and create more resilient, sustainable communities.
