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Nutria alarm in Bremen: 3,500 animals killed-the problem grows!
Bremen is fighting the invasive nutrias that are increasingly causing damage to agriculture and water management.
Nutria alarm in Bremen: 3,500 animals killed-the problem grows!
The topic of nutrias in Bremen again ensures conversation. The animals classified as invasive species, originally come from South America, are now also widespread in Germany. In the hunting year 2023/2024, almost 45,000 nutrias were killed in Lower Saxony - a clear increase that is also shown in Bremen.
Between April 2024 and March 2025, around 3,500 nutrias were killed in Bremen, which means a sudden increase in 1,000 animals compared to the previous year. This balance reflects the growing challenge that the Nutrias represent for the domestic environment. After all, the gnawing critters have no natural enemies and have a high reproductive rate. In theory, over 16,000 animals can emerge from a single couple within three years if all offspring survive. [Butenunbinnen] reports that the Nutrias, especially near the shore, ditch and grave the earth's caves, which slamm into the water and thus endanger the habitat of many plants and animals.A look at the Nutrias
nutrias, also known as beaver rats, are always looking for damp habitats. They feed on tubular plants that offer important nesting places for birds. Her striking look with the orange teeth and the round, hairy tail is known to many. The first Nutrias were introduced in Germany in 1867 for fur extraction, in 1933 they were first spotted as free. [Wildlife Protection Germany] points out that they are now established almost everywhere in Germany.
Although Nutrias have many negative effects on the environment, there is often a lack of sufficient scientific evidence of the possibilities of effective inventory control through hunting. Many experts criticize that the hunting measures on Nutrias do not actually contribute to the reduction in the inventory or to prevent their spread. Nevertheless, hunting is considered a means by hunting to make a contribution to nature conservation, which is considered problematic by experts [Wildlife Protection-Germany].
The debate about invasive species
Invasive types such as Nutria are a hotly discussed topic. According to the IPBES report, there are over 37,000 non-regional species worldwide, of which more than 3,500 are considered invasive. 1,015 neobiota species are registered in Germany, and the number of invasive species could continue to increase due to the climate crisis [WWF].
The discussion about hunting and handling invasive species is complex. While the hunt for Nutrias and other invasive types of some are considered necessary, animals such as the raccoon and the marten dog also rank on the list of EU categorization. These types are in focus to prevent economic and ecological damage-a goal that hunters demands [wildlife protection Germany].
In order to keep an eye on the spread of the nutrias in Bremen in the future, citizens can report sightings by email to the state hunter. This shows that each part of the solution can be and the topic of nutrias affects us all.