Latest news with #Nutria
USA Today
08-03-2025
- General
- USA Today
'Put them on the menu': Americans should eat more of these invasive animals, officials say
'Put them on the menu': Americans should eat more of these invasive animals, officials say What do iguanas, rodents, fish and wild boars have in common? They're on a list of invasive species that federal officials are encouraging people to eat in an effort to limit damage to ecosystems. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released the list on Feb. 20 for National Invasive Species Awareness Week Feb. 24 to Feb. 28. 'Invasive species outcompete native wildlife, destroy habitats, and mess up ecosystems,' the agency wrote. 'But rather than just complaining about them, let's put them on the menu.' According to the agency, invasive species can damage the ecosystems they become part of, and eating them is just one way to protect native wildlife. 'It's not a complete solution and should be combined with other conservation efforts to effectively control these species,' the wildlife service said, calling the species 'downright delicious.' Find out which species made the list below. Nutria known for 'devouring marshlands' Nutria, a native species to South America, are invasive to the Gulf of America coast (formerly the Gulf of Mexico), the Atlantic coast and the Pacific Northwest, according to the wildlife service. They are oversized, wetland-loving rodents that initially were brought to the U.S. as part of the fur trade, the agency said. 'Now they're devouring marshlands,' the wildlife service said. The agency said those who want to eat nutria can try gumbo recipes. 'Their meat is lean, mild, and tastes like rabbit,' it said. Northern snakeheads 'compete with native species for food' and habitats Next on the service's list of invasive species for people to chow down on is the northern snakehead fish, or channa argus. The fish can breathe air and can live outside water for several days, the wildlife agency said. They are native to East Asia but have become invasive in Mid-Atlantic and southeastern U.S. waterways. Snakehead fish 'compete with native species for food' and habitats, and there is concern that they may outcompete or displace important native species or other predatory fish, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The northern snakehead fish can be fried, grilled or turned into tacos, according to the Fish and Wildlife Service. 'They're delicious with a firm, white, and flaky meat,' the agency said. Invasive carp 'are clogging U.S. waterways,' officials say Invasive carp, which includes bighead, silver, black carp and grass carp, are native to East Asia. They've been found in multiple Midwest and Southeast rivers and lakes, the wildlife service said. 'These high-jumping fish are clogging U.S. waterways and outcompeting native species,' the agency said, adding that they're 'surprisingly tasty' and are delicious when grilled, blackened, or made into 'crispy fish cakes.' Green iguana Next up is the green iguana, native to Central and South America. The species is invasive in Florida and other warm states, where they eat Florida's native plants and destabilize seawalls. 'The solution? Iguana stew,' the wildlife service said. 'Their meat is often called 'chicken of the trees' for its mild flavor.' Wild boar: A 'full-blown ecological disaster' Lastly, there's the feral hog or wild boar, known scientifically as sus scrofa. Wild boars are native to Europe and Asia but have become invasive in the southeastern U.S., Texas, California and other areas, the wildlife service said. 'They aren't just invasive, they're a full-blown ecological disaster,' it said. 'Rooting, trampling, and devouring everything in their path, these piggies are tearing up farmland, forests, and wetlands across the country.' The agency said wild boar account for 'some of the best-tasting invasive meat you can get.' Their meat is leaner and more rich in flavor than pork sold in stores, the service said. Their meat can be turned into smoked barbecue, chili, burgers, tacos or wild boar ragu over pasta. 'Feral hog hunting is encouraged in many states, so you're not just getting a great meal, you're doing conservation work with every bite.' The agency said it's important for people to check local regulations and restrictions first, however. 'Then, get cooking and help control these invasive species one bite at a time." Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Email her at sdmartin@
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
You can eat these 5 invasive animals to help population control, US Fish & Wildlife Service says
The U.s. Fish and Wildlife Service wants you to control the invasive species in your area. What is a good hunt without eating the prize? The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is promoting these five invasive species to cook up on the grill. An invasive species is an introduced non-native organism that begins to spread or expand its range from an original introduction and can potentially harm the environment, economy or human health. Invasive species outcompete native wildlife, destroy habitats and mess up ecosystems. First on the list is the Nutria, an oversized wetland-loving rodent. These creatures were first brought to the U.S. via Elizabeth Lake, California, in 1899 for fur trade but began escaping over time. Their nonstop munching and burrowing destroy plants that keep marshes stable, inevitably leading to the loss of habitat for others. The meat of a Nutria is lean and mild and tastes like rabbit – a good recipe for gumbo. Another invasive species you can eat is the Northern Snakehead, a sharp-toothed species that can live outside the water for several days. That kind of ability allows them to wiggle into other freshwater habitats. Snakeheads lie and wait at the bottom of shallow, slow-moving water before striking like a torpedo at its prey. Despite their odd appearance, these creatures offer delicious firm, white and flaky meat. They can be grilled or fried into a tasty fish taco – if you're brave enough to try it. The Green Iguana is the third tasty invasive species on the list, as these cold-blooded creatures plunder Florida's native plants and destabilize seawalls. These animals often burrow along or under seawalls or sidewalks, which causes them to collapse. Their meat is often referred to as the chicken of the trees for its mild flavor. You can try roasting or grilling these creatures for a tasty meal. Next on the list, we have the invasive Carp, a family of fish native to Europe and Asia. Common carp have been in the U.S. for over 100 years. The four kinds of invasive carp were imported into the states for use in aquaculture ponds. An aquaculture pond is a body of water in which aquatic animals are raised for food. Through flooding andaccidental release, the black, silver, bighead and grass carp have found their way into the Mississippi River system. This is like a giant freshwater highway for these carp to access many of the country's rivers and streams. These surprisingly tasty fish can be grilled, blackened or turned into crispy fish cakes. Lastly, we have one of the more obvious invasive species, the feral hogs or wild boars. Tourist's Body Found Mangled After Shark Attack During Diving Mishap Much like the invasive carp, the hogs and boars hailed from Europe and Asia. These big creatures tear up forests, farmlands and wetlands across the country. The feral animals can also transmit diseases to others on farmlands, which can result in financial loss to farmers. Surprisingly, wild boar is some of the best-tasting invasive meat you can get. They are also some of the most popular invasive species to hunt. Feral hog hunting is encouraged in many states, so you're not just getting a good meal, you're doing your duty as a conservationist. The animal has a leaner and richer flavor than store-bought pork. Wild boars can be cooked in everything from smoked barbecue chili to burgers, tacos and even pasta. Grind it for burger meat, braise it for tacos, or go above and beyond and create a wild boar ragu over your pasta. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service encourages you to get out there and "Save a Swamp and Sauté a Nutria" for your article source: You can eat these 5 invasive animals to help population control, US Fish & Wildlife Service says
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Nutria nuisance: the invasive rodent you can eat
It's National Invasive Species Awareness Week, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is highlighting an animal that's causing major erosion to the banks of ditches, lakes, and other water bodies. Officials say the solution could lie in your kitchen. Action News Jax spoke with a local critter control expert, who says they're causing problems all over Duval County. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] That rodent is called a Nutria, which some refer to as a 'water rat.' The large, semi-aquatic rodents are considered an invasive species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says these invasive pests were brought here for their fur and began to escape captivity back in the 1940s. 'They are so common in this area you can go to any retention pond in this area and you're going to at least find one,' said the owner of Truly Nolen Pest Control and rodent expert Kevin Dissmore. Dissmore said that Duval County has a high number of Nutrias living and breeding in our retention ponds. Jacksonville has the highest concentration of the animal across Florida, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Read: JSO gets the green light to relocate headquarters into the Florida Blue building Dissmore took us on a tour of a pond in the area, where evidence of the animals was left behind. 'Right up the slide here; they leave an imprint in the area that they're coming in and out, the exact spot the nut' came out,' Dissmore said. Dissmore and his daughter even spotted Nutrias in their own retention pond. 'I'll say we have about 4 to 10 in here.' The problem with Nutrias is that they pose a significant threat to marshland. 'So, they're destroying the vegetation that other animals rely on, but then it also destroys the landscape, and you've got erosion happening at a really high rate with these guys; they're causing the erosion,' According to Dissmore. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wants you to know: this furry rodent is edible. The federal agency even posted on X that Nutria meat is comparable to a rabbit. 'I would not be opposed to eating a Nutria,' Dissmore said. However, not everyone is eager to add them to their menu. 'There's a lot of animals I want to eat, a lot of people eat, but not me,' said one local, Emmanuel. 'That looks like an animal I could have at home as a pet,' said another man, Christopher. Dissmore believes trapping them is not enough. 'They have to be un-alived, and that's the only way to protect our environment.' Related: Effort begun to eradicate giant African snails in Florida According to the FWC, the Gun and Light at Night Permit authorizes individuals to legally hunt nutria overnight after notifying the FWC. Still, it must be on the hunter's own land or with the land owner's permission. The animal must also be on land or near crops that it is actively harming. The FWC's fur-bearer trapping regulations allow statewide nutria trapping year-round with no bag limits. The nutria is just one animal that environmental officials are spotlighting in honor of National Invasive Species Awareness Week, which ends Friday. Several invasive species are hunted in the state with proper approval. Florida's most famous pests are arguably the Burmese python and the green iguana, but they're mostly seen in southern parts of the state. You're encouraged to report nutria sightings to FWC using the free IveGot1 mobile app or by reporting it online here. Related: Officials warn of Florida invasive pythons spreading northward due to climate change [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
