Nutria control in Louisiana

Abstract

The nutria (Myocastor coypus) is a large semi-aquatic rodent that was introduced throughout much of the world as a means of increasing the fur market in the first half of the 20(th) Century. Although not considered a pest in their native range of South America, nutria presence elsewhere has often met with greater detriment than benefit. Nutria have damaged crops, marsh vegetation, and water control structures. Nutria damage has been described for decades, yet science is now better defining values provided by marshes that are prime habitat for many mammalian, avian, reptilian, and amphibian species as well as flora. The uniqueness of the marsh and coastal habitats is in jeopardy of being so damaged as to make the cost of repair astronomical. Nutria foraging often causes current re-vegetation projects to fail unless exclosures are constructed. We review potential methods to control nutria damage in Louisiana. Techniques discussed include: incentive (bounty) payment, chemical control (toxicants), incentive-bonus, induced infertility, trapping, controlled hunting, and chemical repellents. We rank these by feasibility of implementation and their probability of success.