Nutrias at Ruppiner See: City intervenes - feeding ban imposed!

Nutrias at Ruppiner See: City intervenes - feeding ban imposed!

A serious problem is currently being addressed at Lake Ruppiner: the invasion of nutrias, a rodent species native to South America, is causing concern among experts and residents. In the Seetorviertel “An der Seepromenade” these animals were not only spotted, but increasingly identified. According to a press release from the city of Neuruppin, action is now being taken together with the State Office for the Environment to combat the proliferation of this invasive species. A muskrat hunter was commissioned to decimate the population of nutrias in order to curb their spread in time. This is intended to protect both the local wild animals and the endangered habitats that are seriously threatened by the rodents, because nutrias have the potential to undermine dikes and damage reed populations due to their appetite.

Nutria and muskrat are not natives - on the contrary, they displace native animal species and damage ecosystems. This situation represents not only an ecological but also an economic problem. Damage to embankments, in agriculture and to flood protection is already clearly noticeable. It is therefore urged not to feed nutrias or muskrats, as this will only accelerate the reproduction of these animals. This restarts the vicious circle of spread.

The hunt for nutrias

The measures to combat nutrias are also legally regulated. In Brandenburg, hunting license holders are allowed to kill animals all year round. There is no special requirement for hunters to receive specialist training, but holders of a hunting license are required in order to act in accordance with animal welfare. This regulation has been in effect since June 29, 2019 and will last until May 31, 2024. To ensure the correct methods are used, hunters must have knowledge of animal welfare and hunting practices. This includes anatomy and physiology as well as the correct selection of caliber and optimal hit position, as required by the Animal Welfare Act.

A comprehensive study found that nutrias are spreading rapidly in Germany. In 2023 alone, nutrias occurred in around 35 percent of the hunting grounds examined. For comparison: in 2015 it was only 17 percent. Especially in urban areas where feeding these animals is not uncommon, they have found ideal conditions to spread even further. In Bremen, 93 percent of the territories were recorded as being populated with nutria, a worrying six-fold increase since 2015.

Ecological and economic challenges

The damage caused by nutrias affects not only the native fauna, but also the economic interests in the region. Reed areas, which are vital for many animals such as insects, amphibians and birds, are massively threatened by the feeding habits of the nutria. Since there are no natural enemies for invasive species such as the nutria in Germany, further spread is inevitable if no active intervention is taken. The German Wildlife Foundation and the German Hunting Association are therefore urging people to act quickly because the economic and ecological damage could reach immense proportions.

In summary, it can be said that the situation at Ruppiner See is clearly taking a threatening direction. This makes it all the more important to support measures against invasive nutrias. Citizens are required to behave responsibly and refrain from feeding that promotes reproduction. This is the only way to meet this challenge before it is too late. For further information and details about the ongoing measures, read more at Neuruppin, MlEUV or daily news.