Wilderness Italy: the Nutria problem in the Po Valley; the need to contain the species to limit damage and protect the biodiversity of wetlands.
In Modena Nutria has already been the protagonist - not aware - of the local news several times. During the last flood, because there was much talk of the damage it creates to the embankments, digging tunnels, and more recently for the controversies raised by some animal welfare associations (which also profess to be environmentalists) after the killing of several specimens by the Provincial Police. In this regard, as Modenese Provincial Delegate of Wilderness, an environmental association founded in 1985, I would like to ask some questions to those who strenuously defend Nutria. Perhaps, however, it is appropriate to take a step back. It would be important to remember, in fact, that the Nutria from the 'faunal' point of view is an allochthonous animal, that is, not native to our areas. This is not a secondary aspect, since it is scientifically shown that the presence of Nutria in our lakes and rivers has the same meaning as seeing Giraffes graze in our fields! Specifically, in the province of Modena, Nutria is creating significant damage especially in wetlands, particularly fragile habitats that the European Union, the State and the Region have long been committed to safeguarding, just think of the creation of Special Protection Areas ( SPA) or to the Areas of Community Interest that are part of the Natura 2000 Network.
The 'protection' of Nutria, in this sense, is in stark contrast to the conservation of delicate habitats such as marsh areas and the safeguarding of various animal and plant species that inhabit them. Not only because it is a large rodent (L. cm.120 / 150- weight Kg.10 / 15) with an annual rate of increase of the population of 200%, but also because we have no natural competitors (if not sporadically foxes, dogs and some birds of prey).
Two concrete examples are enough to understand how much Nutria is potentially dangerous (even if sometimes indirectly) for the biodiversity of wetlands:
a) Not everyone knows that the nutria, in addition to digging tunnels in the banks, loves sunbathing. What's the harm, you say? Apparently none. The problem, however, is that for sunbathing he often and willingly uses the nests of the marsh avifauna such as the Grebe, the Little Grebe, the Mallard, the Coot, the Moorhen and the Schiribilla, etc ... A behavior that , especially during the hatching period, compromises the reproductive capacity of these species, some of which are particularly protected due to their precarious state of conservation.
b) Another aspect to be evaluated is that of marsh plants. Nutria, in fact, if population density is not kept under control, heavily modifies the distribution and density of many species of herbs and plants.
Those who think therefore of taking an 'ethically' meritorious action in protecting Nutria, perhaps do not realize that they are endangering much more important (and moreover at risk) animal and plant species to guarantee local biodiversity, which is put at risk. in the name of an attitude that is as politically correct as it is a harbinger of catastrophic changes in the environment. Killing one or more living beings cannot and must not procure enjoyment and it is legitimate that most people consider it repugnant, but when it is necessary it must be done: and, in the case of Nutria it is essential to prevent the spread of harmful events for the environment and for man.
Nowadays, no one can delude himself that in our country there are still environments that are able to stand on a natural balance, since, very wrongly and with little reason, Man has reduced the areas that still retain connotations of wildness to parks , if not in small gardens whose equilibrium can be maintained only thanks to the constant intervention of Man himself. Take note of those "animalists" with a candid soul, use the media to practice a lot and the countryside very little (if I had ever met one in the woods or elsewhere but with muddy shoes! ...), that the laws of Nature are merciless and the life that takes place in the forest is certainly not the one represented in the Walt Disney documentaries.
The Provincial Delegate of Modena
Giorgio Bigarelli
Italian Wilderness Association
(March 4, 2015)