German Hunters Culled Over 131,000 Invasive Nutria in 2024/2025 Season

Hunters in Germany are intensifying efforts to control the population of nutria, an invasive species from South America. In the 2024/2025 hunting season, German hunters culled 131,157 nutria, marking an increase of approximately 14,500 animals compared to the previous season. This surge reflects a dramatic long-term trend, with the number of nutria killed now standing at about 1,700% higher than two decades ago.

Germany is obligated to manage the nutria population due to their status as an invasive species. These semi-aquatic rodents cause significant environmental damage by destroying reed beds, which are vital habitats for numerous bird, fish, and amphibian species. Furthermore, their burrowing activities undermine dike structures, thereby jeopardizing flood protection measures, particularly in low-lying areas.

The German Hunting Association reported these figures at the Federal Hunters' Day in Suhl. The state of Niedersachsen recorded the highest number of nutria kills in the past year, with hunters there dispatching around 54,000 animals. North Rhine-Westphalia followed with over 41,000 nutria culled. The North German lowlands, particularly along rivers like the Rhine, Weser, Ems, and Elbe, provide ideal living conditions for the animals, contributing to their proliferation in these regions.