California’s nutria mystery: Oregon-origin theory sparks debate over deliberate release
TL;DR Summary
Genetic analysis links California’s invasive nutria population to Oregon, suggesting deliberate transport rather than natural migration. Nutria are destructive, semi-aquatic rodents that threaten agriculture and waterways in the Central Valley; they reappeared in Merced County after eradication efforts. Since 2017, California has removed about 7,841 nutrias through trapping or sterilization, with officials pondering control options—including hunting—that reflect the ongoing environmental threat.
- Invasive rodent plaguing California may have been deliberately released. Here’s the theory Los Angeles Times
- Invasive rodent plaguing California may have been deliberately released. Here's the theory Yahoo
- CDFW News | CDFW Research Links California’s Nutria Invasion to Pacific Northwest Population California Department of Fish and Wildlife (.gov)
- Someone may have maliciously caused a huge rodent invasion in California SFGATE
- Giant rodent ‘deliberately’ reintroduced in California, experts fear The Independent
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