The federal government is begging people to eat this large number of harmful rodents

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is urging Americans to use invasive species to fill invasive species that have caused serious damage to habitat across the country.

As part of its National Invasive Species Advocacy Week, ending Friday, the agency released a list of five invasive organisms that they encourage people to hunt and eat as a way to protect native species.

“Some of the biggest ecological nightmares are small animals that don’t belong here,” USFWS wrote in a public consultation released late last week. “Invasive species outweigh native wildlife, destroy habitats, and mess up the ecosystem. But let’s put it on the menu, not just complain about them.”

“Things in a disaster movie”

At the top of the list is Nutria, a water-loving rodent, similar to a beaver with flat trademarks. Nutria is native to the South American swamp. They were brought to the United States by fur traders in the 1930s, and many were released into the wild after jam fur dried up. Since then, Nutria has been a threat to swamps in several parts of the country, especially along the Gulf Coast, and on the Atlantic Coast, the Pacific Northwest and parts of California.

Nutria is a perfect example of how the introduction of invasive species can eliminate the delicate balance of development within a vulnerable ecosystem for centuries. They are voracious herbivores that can consume up to a quarter of their weight in a day. They eat so much that they can destroy the stable native plant species in the marshlands.

“Their uninterrupted chewing and hole digging destroys the plants that stabilize the swamp, leading to erosion, habitat loss and wetlands look like something from the disaster movie,” USFWS wrote in a Facebook post.

Over the past 25 years, at least five states have joined the federal government in launching programs to eliminate Nutria, which greatly reduce the damage caused by these organisms. In 2000, it was estimated that Nutria would destroy 100,000 acres of Louisiana wetlands each year, according to the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Last year, that number dropped to 5,500 acres.

Government protectionists hope the appeal of delicious food can encourage local hunters to help support their anti-core movement. USFWS describes Nutria meat as lean and mild, with a flavor similar to “dark meat from rabbits or even turkeys.”

A recipe published in 1963 lists nearly twenty jam recipes, including chicken fried jam and macaroni casserole. Louisiana even shares recipes for smoked jam and Andur sausage broth.

The USDA recognizes more than 200 invasive species nationwide. The list includes terrestrial animals, marine life, bugs, plants and even viruses. Most entries are either inedible or unattractive.

Another edible person, even a downright delicious creature on the USFWS list is the northern snakehead fish, green iguana, several invasive carp and wild boar.

The agency urges anyone considering strolling on invasive species hunting to check with local authorities to ensure that when preparing meat, the risk of any inherent food disease inherent in your dealing with wild games is especially careful when preparing meat.