Nutria: The Triple Threat to California's Future
Nutria Eradication Program
About the Speaker:
Jeff is currently with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Wildlife and Fisheries Division, specifically the Nutria Eradication Program. He received his M.S. in Wildlife Ecology from Texas State University.
Discovery in California:
Confirmed detections of nutria in California can be viewed in the nutria detection map (PDF). As of December 2, 2020, 2,039 nutria have been taken in California, with several additional animals confirmed present,
across Merced, Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Fresno, Tuolumne, and Mariposa Counties. In September 2018, the first reproducing population of nutria within the legal Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta boundary was discovered south of Lathrop (San Joaquin County). In May 2019, a nutria was detected near Rough and Ready Island, approximately 16 miles north of the nearest known population and previous detections.
Eradication Effort:
CDFW is collaborating with other agencies and local partners to develop the most effective strategy for eradicating nutria from California.
Discovery of invasive nutria in California - Landowners, we need your help:
CDFW has deployed nutria survey teams from the Delta through the San Joaquin Valley and needs written access permissions to enter or cross private properties for the purposes of conducting nutria surveys and, where detected, implementing trapping efforts. Landowners and tenants we need your help; so CDFW can survey for and remove destructive nutria from your properties, complete and submit Nutria Project Temporary Entry Permit.