Light rain

Don’t feed the nutrias
The cute orange-toothed rodents have been expanding geometrically
People over social media have increasingly been asking about orange-toothed furry critters that they have been encountering in parks and along the waterfront. They are nutrias or coypus, and ecologists say they are a natural disaster since they are not native to Europe and have no enemies in the wild.
City forestry company Lesy hl. m. Prahy spokeswoman Petra Fišerová said the mild recent winters have not improved the situation, and since the animals have had no lack of food year round they have been expanding their numbers geometrically.
The city forestry service, which oversees wildlife, is attempting to capture the large, herbivorous, semiaquatic rodents to relocate them to zoo corners and other locations where they can live out their lives but not interfere with the natural ecology of the waterfront.
Nutrias can eat so much vegetation that the soil becomes unprotected and this leads to erosion of the river banks. It also robs other animals of vegetation used for protective cover, nests
Urban areas with lots of natural waterways make ideal habitats for nutrias. One place where they have become a problem is Thomayerovy
People have also been feeding the animals, who look cute and friendly. Ecologists warn people, though, that they can carry disease.
The nutria can carry the bacterial disease leptospirosis. Symptoms range from headaches and fevers to bleeding lungs and kidney failure. They also carry parasites that can cause skin disease referred to as nutria itch.
Nutria
They were introduced to the UK in 1929, but a large eradication effort has all but extirpated them with few sightings after 1989.
Nutria made it to Continental Europe in the 1930s and
The meat from nutria, however, has caught on in some parts of the former Soviet Union such as Kyrgyzstan and
Across most of the world except for South America, nutrias are considered an invasive species. They are not classified as threatened or endangered but are in the least concern category.
Related articles
-
Sheep and goats grazing in Prague by Raymond Johnston - Prague.TV (Foto: praha.eu / JT media)
The city uses a natural and ecological approach to maintain its green areas
-
Prague 3 goes to war against dog droppings by Raymond Johnston - Prague.TV (Foto: fotolia)
The district has made clean streets and grassy areas a new priority
-
Prague Zoo saving endangered Peruvian frog by Raymond Johnston - Prague.TV (Foto: Zoo Praha / Petr Hamerník)
The critically endangered frog is found in only one lake in the world
-
Record number of animals rescued by Raymond Johnston - Prague.TV (Foto: praha.eu)
The city helped save over 4,700 injured or orphaned birds and animals
-
Prague Zoo increases endangered species support by Raymond Johnston - Prague.TV (Foto: Václav Šilha, Zoo Praha)
The zoo has been a pioneer is projects to save particular species and habitats
-
Animals at Prague Airport (PRAGUE PASS) by Prague.TV - Living Like a Local!
Eli made some new friends
-
Ben, Max most common dog names in Prague by Raymond Johnston - Prague.TV (Foto: fotolia)
The city has some 83,000 registered dogs
,with 20,000 born before 1999 -
Wildlife rescue station helps record number by Raymond Johnston - Prague.TV (Fotos: lhmp.cz)
Almost three-quarters of injured animals in Prague were birds
-
Dog rules stalled by Raymond Johnston - Prague.TV (Foto: fotolia)
New uniform rules for dogs across Prague have not made progress
-
Karlín getting new dog park by Raymond Johnston - Prague.TV (Foto: fotolia)
The Prague 8 district plans a new space with exercise equipment
Facebook comments
Enjoy Prague from a different view
Tasty Fresh Mexican fast food in Prague
Superb Donuts in the heart of Prague
A true legend in the restaurant industry - TGI Friday's
Prague’s No.1 Cat Sitting Company
Your dog's second-best friend

Prague’s # 1 source for Czech news in English…

Expat and Czech Business Professional Network

German Language Info Service