German Hunters Cull Record Numbers of Invasive Nutria

Hunters across Germany are intensifying their efforts to curb the spread of nutria, an invasive species that poses a significant threat to local ecosystems and infrastructure. In the state of Saxony-Anhalt, the number of nutria culled by hunters has surged dramatically. In the 2024/25 hunting season alone, 7,019 nutria were killed, a more than fourfold increase from the 1,625 recorded in the 2014/15 season. The previous record was set in the 2020/21 season with 9,689 nutria harvested.

Germany is obligated to control the nutria population due to their invasive status. Nationwide, hunters killed over 131,000 nutria, originally from South America, during the 2024/25 hunting season. The German Hunting Association highlights the ecological damage caused by these animals. They destroy reed beds, which are vital habitats for numerous bird, fish, and amphibian species. Furthermore, nutria undermine dikes, thereby compromising flood protection measures and increasing the risk of flooding in vulnerable areas.