Thank you for your report. Nutria is an established invasive species in Oregon.

The Center for Lakes and Reservoirs at Portland State University offers great website information on nutria. The website address is http://www.clr.pdx.edu/projects/ans/nutria.php.

I have listed the contact information for Wildlife Services below. They can put you in touch with local Wildlife Services staff, who may be able to trap these animals. However, the populations of nutria in the state, especially in some locales, are so "robust," as you described, that there aren't enough staff to work on trapping them throughout the state. That's why early detection and rapid response to new species is critically important. Early intervention efforts can keep new species from becoming established.

Oregon Wildlife Services State Director
6135 NE 80th
Suite A-8
Portland, OR 97218
Phone: (503) 326-2346
FAX: (503) 326-2367

Lisa DeBruyckere
April 23, 2008, 5:03 a.m.