California Government Works to Nip Invasive Nutria Infestation in the Bud

A nutria feasts on plants in a swamp. Courtesy of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife

To a casual observer, nutria are cute animals resembling small beavers. However, a deep dive reveals something more sinister. This invasive species has been the source of damage to plant life in lakes, swamps, marshes, and more.

These creatures have been the target of eradication efforts by California’s Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) ever since they were first observed in the area in 2017. Due to these efforts, the population of nutria in California has been down.