Will the nutria in Rybnik be euthanized?

In recent months, the issue of eliminating nutria in Rybnik has become the subject of intense public debate. The decision by the Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection (RDOŚ) regarding the capture and euthanasia of this species has sparked considerable controversy among residents and environmental organizations alike. This decision is based on national regulations that impose obligations related to the management of invasive alien species.

Invasive Nature of Nutria

Nutria (Myocastor coypus) are rodents that were introduced to Europe from South America for fur farming. Due to escapes from farms and intentional releases into the wild, this species has spread across much of the continent, including Poland. Although often considered cute and harmless, nutria pose a significant threat to local ecosystems. Their activities contribute to the erosion of riverbanks and water reservoirs, the destruction of aquatic plant habitats, and the displacement of native animal species. Nutria have no natural predators, which facilitates their rapid expansion and population growth.

Under a regulation issued by the Council of Ministers in December 2022, nutria were classified as an invasive species (IGO) subject to mandatory elimination.

Nutria in Silesia – Range of Occurrence

In the Silesian Voivodeship, nutria have been identified in several locations, including Jaworzno, Wodzisław Śląski, Czyżowice, Kalety, Aleksandria, and Kamieniec. According to information from RDOŚ, the largest population of these animals is found in Rybnik, where their number is estimated at around 150 individuals. These rodents have spread over an area of about 15 km along the Nacyna and Ruda rivers. Nutria are also beginning to appear in protected areas.

Decision on Capture and Elimination

The decision to eliminate nutria is in line with the provisions of the Act of August 11, 2021, on alien species that pose a threat to the European Union (the so-called IGO Act), which came into force in December 2021.

According to Article 20 of the IGO Act: when the presence of an invasive alien species is detected in the environment, the relevant regional director of environmental protection is obliged to promptly take remedial actions aimed at its elimination. These actions must be taken no later than three months after the species’ presence is confirmed in the environment.

RDOŚ argues that the elimination of nutria is necessary to protect the local ecosystem from further, irreversible changes. They emphasize that the nutria population spreading in the Rybnik area threatens local fauna and flora, and their presence in protected areas exacerbates the problem.

Nearly Half a Million Zlotys for Nutria Elimination

RDOŚ has announced a tender for the capture and elimination of the nutria population in the Silesian Voivodeship, allocating nearly 455,000 PLN for this purpose. As part of the efforts, they plan to euthanize up to 200 captured animals through pharmacological euthanasia or shooting, and then use their bodies as food for other animals in shelters, zoos, or rehabilitation centers.

Opposition to RDOŚ Actions

The decision by RDOŚ was met with immediate opposition from the local community and non-governmental organizations. In Rybnik, on Saturday, August 24, protest actions were organized, and residents took steps to protect the nutria. They argue that instead of elimination, alternative methods of managing the nutria population should be considered, such as sterilization programs or relocating the animals to areas where they would not pose a threat to the local ecosystem. Additionally, activists conducted a population count and found that there are significantly more than 200 nutria, which they believe makes the planned elimination ineffective and pointless. Residents and activists also raise ethical concerns about the killing of animals, emphasizing the need to seek more humane solutions.

RDOŚ Position

RDOŚ emphasizes that the legally mandated remedial actions include the capture of nutria and either their elimination or transfer to a sanctuary. Currently, only one facility in Poland has permission to keep nutria, but it has a limited number of places, insufficient for the population identified in the Silesian Voivodeship. Keeping nutria in other conditions requires approval from the General Directorate for Environmental Protection (GDOŚ), and actions such as illegal adoption or release of the animals into the wild are considered crimes, punishable by 3 months to 5 years in prison and substantial fines.

Summarizing their position, the Deputy Director of RDOŚ Katowice, Regional Nature Conservator Przemysław Skrzypiec, stated: We do not support the killing of animals, we are not indifferent to their fate, but we understand why action is necessary. We are aware of the negative reception of our actions by those who are superficially familiar with the topic and rely solely on emotions, which is why it is so important to raise awareness of the threat posed by the invasion of this species. Approaching the protection of native biodiversity responsibly, we must treat such actions as a necessity.