re: 'Invasive and delicious'

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when I went duck hunting

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head shots with a .22

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But I hear they are still abundant in the swamps.

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Looking at map in article they have a problem with them in Washington and Oregon.. ?

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Yes, nutria are indeed a problem in both Washington and Oregon. These large, semi-aquatic rodents, native to South America, were introduced to the Pacific Northwest in the 1930s primarily for fur farming. When the fur industry declined, many nutria were released or escaped into the wild, leading to established feral populations by the 1940s. Since then, their numbers have expanded, causing a range of ecological and economic issues in both states.

In Oregon, nutria have spread widely, particularly in western regions, due to their prolific reproduction—females can produce multiple litters per year—and adaptability to wetland habitats. They cause significant damage by feeding on vegetation, consuming up to 25% of their body weight daily, often targeting the roots and tubers of plants. This overgrazing disrupts marshland ecosystems, destroying native plants that stabilize soil and provide habitat for other wildlife. Their burrowing habits further exacerbate the problem, weakening stream banks, lake shores, and human-made structures like dikes and irrigation channels, leading to erosion and costly repairs. By the 1960s, damage to agricultural crops such as grains, forage, and trees was severe enough to prompt control efforts, though the population remains a persistent challenge.

In Washington, nutria are similarly problematic, with established populations noted along the lower Columbia River, its tributaries, and areas like the Skagit Valley and southwest Washington near Vancouver. Their burrowing has been particularly destructive to flood-control infrastructure, such as dikes and levees, turning some into "Swiss cheese" and increasing erosion risks. In urban and suburban areas, where nutria thrive, they’ve also been linked to property damage and nuisance complaints. Unlike in their native range, where predators like caiman keep them in check, the Northwest lacks natural predators to control their numbers, allowing populations to grow unchecked under favorable conditions.

Beyond physical damage, nutria pose health risks in both states by carrying pathogens and parasites transmissible to humans, livestock, and pets, including tularemia and "beaver fever." Their presence also threatens native species like muskrats by competing for food and habitat, potentially disrupting local biodiversity.

Efforts to manage the problem have varied. In Oregon, past attempts included poisoning and trapping, but the population persists, partly due to inconsistent funding and coordination. Washington has seen localized successes, such as Longview’s diking district reducing nutria numbers through trapping, but broader eradication remains elusive. Research suggests their range is expanding—sightings stretch from the Canadian border to southern Oregon—and climate change could worsen the issue by extending habitable areas as winters become milder.

While nutria issues in the Pacific Northwest differ from those in states like Louisiana (where wetland loss from herbivory is the primary concern), the damage to water control structures and urban conflicts are uniquely significant here. Without sustained, coordinated action, nutria could follow the path of Louisiana and Maryland, where eradication is no longer feasible. So, yes, they’re a problem—ecologically, economically, and socially—in both Washington and Oregon, and one that’s proven tough to crack.

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If we can rename the Gulf of Mexico, we can rename some South American rodent.

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Macaroni-Nutria Casserole

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