Mammals - invasive

Nutria (Myocastor coypus) on Aug 4, 2008

Submitter does not have a specimen

Description of specimen

No description provided

Commentary

Thank you for submitting the report. Nutria are are now common in urban parks around the region because they are often fed by humans at these locations.

It is important to realize that nutria are rodents and potential reservoirs for a variety of diseases that can be transferred to other species, including humans in some cases. As is the case with many species of wildlife, nutria can become aggressive if they are disturbed; it is important to leave them alone.

The nutria page on the Center for Lakes and Reservoirs website at http://www.clr.pdx.edu/projects/ans/nutria.php contains more information on nutria impacts if you are interested. My contact information can also be found on this site if you have questions or would like further information.

Trevor Sheffels
Center for Lakes and Reservoirs
Portland State University

Trevor Sheffels
Aug. 5, 2008, 6:10 a.m.

Resources

There is a lot of good information about nutria in Oregon on the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's Living With Wildlife site.

Location

Last weekend, I was at Island Park in Springfield, and there were two families of Nutria feeding on the lawn. This is probably not really news to you, as another bystander told me Nutria have been present there for many years. I saw two adults and at least seven babies. They seemed quite at ease and were not afraid at all of the many people looking at them, some as close a 6-8 feet. There is a creek that runs parallel to the river, and a bridge that crosses it from the parking lot. They were in and out of the creek's rushes, just north of the bridge.

Expert Reviewer

Trevor Sheffels

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