Nutria, an invasive species of rodent, has simply been found in a brand new a part of California … they usually’re posing a menace to people, pets livestock and an essential ecosystem.
These critters are invading the Bay Space, making their manner into the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta in Contra Costa County … a vital supply of water for the state.
Resembling beavers and rising as much as 3 toes lengthy with vibrant orange tooth, Nutria are recognized to hold parasites and tapeworms, amongst different nasty issues … which suggests their pee and poop can then contaminate consuming water provides.
One other downside Nutria pose … destroying native vegetation, crops and wetland areas … and weakening levies.
The swamp rats initially got here to the US from South America in 1889, after they have been traded for his or her fur … however now they’re certainly one of our nation’s invasive species, and their presence in California is inflicting officers to ring the alarm.
Of us within the Bay Space are being requested to report and doc any Nutria sightings, with California Division of Fish and Wildlife spokesman Peter Tira telling SF Gate, “We cannot have nutria reproducing in the delta. The threat to California’s economy is too great.”
