Daegu Environment Cheong Promotes Efficient Eradication of Ecosystem-Disrupting Species 'Nutria'

Trap for capturing invasive species nutria.

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[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongguk Lee] The Daegu Regional Environmental Office will form a dedicated eradication team of specialists to efficiently eliminate the invasive species 'Nutria,' which inhabits the Nakdong River basin, and will operate this team starting from April 18.

To prevent further spread and eradicate Nutria, six zones have been designated this year, and essential monitoring points (10 locations per zone) have been selected and will be operated to analyze changes in habitat density.

One person is assigned to each of the following areas: Eastern Daegu (Dong-gu, Suseong-gu, Buk-gu), Western Daegu (Dalseo-gu, Dalseong-gun), Goryeong-gun, Cheongdo-gun, Gyeongsan-si, and Seongju and Chilgok-gun.

Additionally, to increase the efficiency of Nutria eradication, a 'Nutria Purchase Program' will be piloted until the end of this year.

The purchase program will cover the entire Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions and will be operated in consultation with local governments. If captured individuals (carcasses) and payment application forms are submitted to the relevant local government offices in the capture area, 20,000 KRW will be paid per individual.

Capturing using firearms, crossbows, bows (compound), or poisons (pesticides) is prohibited; capture must be done using traps or nets.

Details regarding reception locations and operation of the purchase program by local governments will be announced on the Daegu Regional Environmental Office website. For inquiries, contact the Natural Environment Division of the Daegu Regional Environmental Office.

Furthermore, Nutria, designated as an invasive species, cause damage by feeding on aquatic plants and crops and have a habit of burrowing holes in reservoir embankments and river levees to make nests, which can cause significant damage during flood seasons.

An official from the Environmental Office stated, “We plan to continuously conduct Nutria capture projects to maintain the ecological balance of the Nakdong River basin,” and urged local residents to show interest in Nutria management and ecosystem conservation and to report any Nutria sightings to the Daegu Regional Environmental Office, city/county environmental departments, or the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Environmental Conservation Association.

Nutria subject to the 'purchase system'.

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