House passes bill to help eradicate swamp rats invading California and other states – By Associated Press Staff (LA Times) / Feb 28 2020
WASHINGTON — A measure to help eradicate the invasive rodents called nutria has passed the U.S. House with the help of a large, stuffed specimen.
California Rep. Josh Harder (D-Turlock) brought a taxidermied nutria he calls Nellie to the House floor Wednesday ahead of a vote that approved the bill, the Modesto Bee reported.
Nutria are native to South America and spread across the United States in the 20th century after being introduced as a source of fur for coats and hats. California declared them eradicated in the 1970s, but the semi-aquatic rodents have since made a rebound.
California’s latest infestation was confirmed in early 2017. State and federal agencies have warned that explosive population growth combined with California’s reliance on expansive waterways connected to the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta make the state especially vulnerable.
Continue to article: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-02-27/
