The Seattle P-I reports this morning on the growing numbers of nutria--an invasive species from South America-- in Ish River country. "Also called coypu, or swamp rats, the South American natives can eat one-quarter of their weight a day, powering down crops and plants of all varieties," writes Lisa Stiffler; "They can weigh more than 20 pounds and burrow through marshes and levies. Females are able to produce more than a dozen offspring a year." Translation: they eat and breed like crazy, and are a huge threat to the balance of native ecosystems.
Turns out nutria love to burrow in levees, which make them particularly frightening for Skagit county, what with its reliance on a series of levees to hold back the mighty, wandering Skagit river. Over a dozen were trapped here last summer, and officials are keeping their fingers crossed that they got 'em all. Hope so, because nutria in southwest Washington have turned the dikes down there into "swiss cheese," according to Mike Davison, a wildlife biologist with the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Something else I learned this morning: the state of Washington recently formed an Invasive Species Council, "whose job it will be to track invaders such as nutria," explains the P-I, "coming up with plans for their elimination and figuring out how to get the money and manpower to do it." Sometimes local government actually does move in progressive directions for the environment--shitcanning the state park trail fees, promoting green power and going to battle against invasive species are three recent examples.
nutria
invasive species
1 comment:
argh, the R.O.U.Ses! Skagit valley is not necessarily a fire swamp, but certainly a land with it's own unique charm and a couple few pitfalls to avoid.
I am curious about how you set up the subscribe option for this blog, will you email me with the procedure if you get the chance?
And good work Washington, yes.
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