Big trouble at Lake Balaton: how this invasive species is threatening Hungary’s wildlife

Footage from camera traps at the Balaton Limnological Research Institute has revealed that an invasive species, nutria, also known as coypu, has appeared in the Little Balaton area, which is awful news for wildlife.

Although this species has been present in Europe for some time, it poses a significant danger to the surrounding ecosystems. According to Infostart, the nutria is considered an invasive species in Hungary, threatening not only wildlife but also dikes and levees. Originally from South America, the coypu primarily inhabits clear, plant-rich waters. However, it is not strictly limited to aquatic environments, as it can thrive in a variety of habitats. It has been detected in large parts of Europe for over a century, initially in regions with a Mediterranean climate. Due to milder winters, however, it has also adapted to survive in colder areas.

“At this time of year, there is less food available, and freezing days with frozen waters would theoretically prevent it from surviving the winter. But long periods of hard frost, thick snow cover, or ice cover are increasingly rare these days,” explained József Lanszki, a scientific advisor at the Balaton Limnological Research Institute, speaking to InfoRádió.

In Hungarian, the nutria is known as beaver rat (“hódpatkány”), reflecting its beaver-like body and rat-like tail. It can reproduce two or three times a year, typically giving birth to four or five offspring at a time. Because it has ample access to plant-based food sources, it readily raises its young and immediately begins consuming soft-stemmed plants wherever it settles. Established, self-sustaining populations have been recorded along the Danube and Ipoly rivers for several years. Once an invasive species spreads over a large area, it becomes exceedingly difficult to control. Moreover, nutria can cause further damage by burrowing into the sides of dikes and levees, which can also impact fish ponds. Unfortunately, these issues only come to light when it is too late.

As we wrote earlier, From 1 January, free dogs and bike transport on select Hungarian trains – here are the conditions

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