Giant rodent that could devastate California wetlands was ‘deliberately’ reintroduced to population, experts fear

NewsWorldAmericasGiant rodent that could devastate California wetlands was ‘deliberately’ reintroduced to population, experts fearNutrias are a large semi-aquatic rodent native to South America that can weigh up to 20 pounds and devours large quantities of vegetationErin Keller In Ohio Friday 10 April 2026 14:12 BSTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover{"translations":{"comments":"Go to comments","share":"Share","copyLink":"Copy link","bookmark":"Bookmark","removeBookmark":"Remove bookmark"},"showComments":true,"showBookmark":true,"articleId":"b2955286","articleMeta":{"url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/giant-rodent-nutria-california-b2955286.html","title":"Giant rodent ‘deliberately’ reintroduced in California, experts fear"}}CloseRelated: Footage shows nutria feeding in wetlands at foothills of Mount Ararat in eastern TürkiyeThe latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekdayYour briefing on the latest headlines from across the USYour briefing on the latest headlines from across the USEmail*SIGN UPI would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice{"className":"sc-1ge0fwe-0","newsletterData":{"regSourceNewsletter":"IND_Evening_Newsletter","regTitle":"Evening Headlines","subscriptionGroup":"us_evening_headlines","subscriptionGroupId":"4326e634-422a-4447-8e1e-604a937cd3b5","type":"daily_news","pathPrefix":["/us","/news/world/americas","/news/world/americas/crime"],"title":"The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday","mobileTitle":"Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US","imageSrc":"https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/images/newsletters/usEveningHeadlines1_1.png","label":"I would like to receive morning headlines Monday - Friday plus breaking news alerts by email","newsletterKey":"receiveEveningHeadlinesUSNews","regSourceSection"...