The coypu is the largest rodent after the capybara. Its natural habitat is the entire South American continent. It inhabits all the river basins of that continent. However, the coypu has spread throughout Europe as a result of the importation for commercial purposes and the subsequent irresponsible release of this species, which took place mainly in Poland. In this country, various breeding farms for this animal were set up to obtain hybrids.
Whether due to carelessness or the irresponsible release of these mammals, the truth is that many animals were released, becoming the current plague that devastates the basins of many European rivers. Keep reading this article about Is the coypu in Spain an invasive species? and discover more about this situation that affects the Iberian ecosystem.
Image from elamigodelpueblo.com
Coypu in its natural environment
The coypu or Myocastor Coypus, has an appearance that is very reminiscent of a small capybara. However, it is a large animal that weighs up to 10 Kg.
The coypu is native to Patagonia, and from there it has spread naturally to the north of the South American continent. Its great procreative power and the enormous wetlands and lake areas of that continent have favored its gradual expansion.
The predatory fauna of these places are caimans, ocelots, anacondas, jaguars and men, who together have achieved a natural and sustainable ecological balance for this species.
However, Europe does not have such predators and vast wetlands, so here it has become a harmful invasive species that endangers the lives of many native species It has also become an agricultural pest, as there is not enough plant material in Europe's small river basins to feed the invasive coipus.
Sadly, the coypu is included in the list of the 100 most harmful invasive alien species in the world, drawn up by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Image of esmateria.com
Coypu in Spain
Spain, like other countries, is also suffering from the uncontrolled invasion of this rodent. Colonies have been spotted in Cantabria, the Basque Country, Catalonia and Navarra These animals come from France, a country completely colonized by this invasive species, which according to the European Union causes damage for a value of 10 million euros per year.
In these peninsular areas the coypu is fought with limited resources since, unlike other countries such as Great Britain, Spain cannot invest capital in the eradication of the species.
The solution to this problem is not easy: on the one hand, it is evident that we must stop the reproduction of Coypu specimens for the reasons discussed above and then when the environmental and animal sector denounces those who have allowed this current situation (irresponsible owners, farms in extremely deplorable conditions, etc.). They claim the castration before the death of any living being or the creation of shelters for these animals.
Image from gallery.new-ecopsychology.org
Coypu as a pet
The coypu is an excellent pet Kind, affectionate and clean, he likes to eat alfalfa from his keeper's hand. Unfortunately, its trade and possession is prohibited in Spain, given the danger against native species displaced from their habitats by the vegetarian voracity of the coypu that destroys the riverside vegetation of the places where it lives and breeds.
It's a pity that the short heads of a few deprive us of such an excellent and peaceful pet, but we must understand the serious problem and resign ourselves to this reality.
Coypu, a transnational plague
Places as diverse as Japan, Italy, the Balkan countries, the U. S. A and mainly France suffer from the presence of coypu on the banks of their rivers and lakes. The European Union has given notice to its members to prevent the proliferation of coypu in their basins. Considering it a serious threat to European fauna.
In Italy the problem has gotten out of control, despite the massive hunting of hundreds of thousands of specimens. The coypu, like all species with a short life cycle (average lifespan of 4 years in the wild), reach sexual maturity very quickly and reproduces rapidlyEven more so in places where they are not harassed by predators.
Image from 500px.com
Conclusions
Perhaps if a European law were legislated to enable the legal adoption of sterilized coipus, we would have a very peaceful and affectionate pet and could end up with a global problem in Europe.
In addition, it is a long-lived animal that we could enjoy for years, its life expectancy doubles in captivity! It is also a strictly herbivorous animal that consumes a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.
Whatever your conclusion may be when reading this article don't hesitate to comment, we know that it is a controversial and thorny subject but everything leads us to the same conclusion: the adoption and subsequent irresponsible release of an animal that has not asked to be transferred or part of a trade that has not sought its well-being.
