The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Needs You to Eat Nutria — However Ought to You?

It form of seems like a beaver however with out the lovable tail. Its enamel are a bit extra garish and orange, however large simply the identical. And its webbed toes make it a wonderful swimmer. In accordance with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the nutria, a big semi-aquatic rodent, can be somewhat scrumptious. And so they’d actually, actually find it irresistible for those who began consuming extra of them.

In late February, the federal government workplace launched a brand new marketing campaign geared toward encouraging extra individuals to attempt the nutria’s gamey meat to assist cut back the inhabitants of this invasive species.

“EAT ME! Please? I am invasive and scrumptious,” the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wrote in a Fb publish that additionally invited individuals to hunt nutria for his or her subsequent meal. “It is Nationwide Invasive Species Consciousness Week, and this yr, please think about the next slogan: ‘Save a Swamp, Sauté a Nutria.'” 

Because the Fish and Wildlife Service defined, the animal will not be native to the U.S. Quite, it was introduced right here for its fur however escaped captivity someday within the Forties, shortly populating southern states. “Their nonstop munching and burrowing destroy the crops that maintain marshes secure, resulting in erosion, lack of habitat, and wetlands that resemble one thing out of a catastrophe film,” it said.

And apparently, among the finest methods to scale back this harmful inhabitants is to show them into dinner. 

“Their meat has been in comparison with rabbit and even the darkish meat of a turkey,” the company stated. “In case your state has nutria, verify your native laws to see the principles for find out how to hunt, seize, after which finally, prepare dinner these nuisance critters.” 

However is it a good suggestion? 

“Sure — nevertheless, there are particular limitations,” Shana Wiltshire, a Southern delicacies advocate and company caterer, shared with Meals & Wine. “Nutria is lean, protein-rich, low in fats, and nutritionally akin to rabbit or venison. Nonetheless, meals security considerations (comparable to environmental toxins) should be addressed based mostly on how and the place it’s gathered.” 

Some warning extra strongly in opposition to it.

“From a well being viewpoint, wild nutria are hazardous. These semi-aquatic rodents can carry many pathogens, comparable to leptospirosis, salmonellosis, and tularemia — illnesses that may also be transmitted to people by varied routes aside from consuming or dealing with wild nutria,” shared Neal Ok. Shah, CEO of CareYaya Well being Applied sciences.

“Ingestion of uncooked or undercooked wild nutria might definitely expose an individual to any diseases the animal has,” Shah stated. “Even direct contact with a wholesome wild nutria might contain some danger if the animal have been to chunk. About half of all wild mammals carry some sort of zoonotic (animal-to-human) illness.” 

However for those who’re prepared to take the chance, Wiltshire says it may be pleasant in a number of methods: “Braising, stewing, or sluggish roasting successfully deliver out tenderness and taste. It may be utilized in gumbo, ragouts, and even tacos when accurately seasoned.”

And, as Wiltshire defined, consuming meats like nutria is a vital a part of the Southern meals expertise. “Consuming wild wildlife is a Southern custom,” she stated. “From frog legs and gator tails to raccoons and possums, these meals have traditionally performed important roles in meals safety, cultural identification, and environmental stability. Much like how deer searching helps regulate deer populations, encouraging nutria consumption might be a sustainable and culturally applicable methodology.”