Deich in danger: Nutrias threatened coastal protection in Stade and Harburg!

Deich in danger: Nutrias threatened coastal protection in Stade and Harburg!

The water tost against the Elbe dike, and not only because of the autumn storm surges that now search for the coastal regions. In these critical times, however, there is a hidden danger: Nutrias, the rodents from South America, represent a serious threat to the stability of the dike systems. These animals dig into the interior of the dikes, which could potentially bring catastrophic consequences if they are undermined and break. Experts therefore call for intensive hunting of the nutrias to ensure coastal protection.

The Situation is particularly alarming in the districts of Stade and Harburg. You can hardly see the nutria, but its architecture quickly becomes a source of danger. One factor that makes hunting for these animals so important is the rapidly increasing population. The fact is: In recent years, the numbers of the Nutrias killed have increased enormously, which underlines the importance of this measure.

explosion of the Nutria population

Nutria is one of the invasive species that cause a sensation on coastal lines. Your body can be up to one meter long and you can reach a weight of around twelve kilograms. These rodents, which are known as a beaver rat or swamp beaver, dig corridors into the dike bodies that have a diameter of up to one meter. "These animals have an extremely high increase in propagation," says Wilhelm Ulferts, the senior judge responsible for dike protection. After half a year, Nutrias can become sexually mature and give birth to up to six young at least three times a year.

A comparison of the hunting statistics clearly shows how rapidly the Nutria population has grown: While only two Nutrias were killed in the entire Stader district, it was already 567 in 2021 and last year 635. In Harburg, the numbers are even more dramatic: from 255 nutrias in the hunting year 2015/16, the number rose to 1,662 in 2023. demonstrates the urgent need to counteract the spread of these animals.

hidden dangers and hunting methods

The danger from the nutrias is not only in number, but especially in their behavior. Their construction openings are often hidden under water, which makes the discovery of their nests immensely difficult. If a dike is torn open by these underground passages, it is risky, especially during the storm season. As soon as the water penetrates into the caves, the stability of the dike drops, which can lead to a dike fracture in extreme cases.

The fight against these rodents is challenging. Special live traps are used to catch them. These traps are light -tight and ensure that the curious animals stay calm. With the help of channels, the hunters receive a message on their cell phones as soon as a trap snaps. The baits that are used are variable - from apple pieces to gummy bears everything is included.

The counties have recognized the urgency of Nutria fighting. Financial grants enable the purchase of these traps. The Harburg district supports the hunters every year with 20,000 euros, which leads to an increased number of cases available. In the district of Stade, 120 traps could also be purchased to make hunting more effective.

But even the best technology cannot always guarantee immediate results. It can take weeks for the nutrias to be caught. In the past, especially during flood periods, there were particular challenges, when the digital detectors of the traps reacted sensitively and the use of traps was sometimes impossible.

Details on these developments are in the report on www.kreiszeitung-wochenblatt.de to read.