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Editorial La Presse de la Manche
Published on
Nov. 27, 2024 at 8:22 a.m.
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Imported at the end of the 19th centurye century for their fur, the muskrat East native to North America and the coypu from South America. If the latter is cousin you castorthe muskrat is rather a large field mouse.
In our marshes, on the Carentan side (Manche), they are chased.
An increasing number of captures
According to Antoine Métayer, director of the FDGDON Manche (Departmental Federation for Defense against Pests), approximately 45,000 coypu (75%) and muskrats (25%) have been regulated this year 2024.
In coypus, the female gives birth to two or three litters per year, of five to seven babies each.
A compulsory control system has been in place since 2012, they are trapped, hunted with shooting or archery.
However, the species continue their progresssince the number of captures increases every year.
“We must be well informed about protected species”
Interview with Bastien Thomas, director of the Norman Mammalogical Group
Do you dispute the problems attributed to these two species?
Absolutely not. But the muskrat is much less present than the coypu. The latter, through its herbivorous action, limits the habitat of ground-nesting birds. As everything is mowed close, these birds are exposed to predators. And the coypu tends to colonize plateau pools, far from the marsh. Concerning diseases, the coypu does not carry them any more than the rodents endemic to our territory. Obviously, he can eat corn, which, by the way, is also an exotic plant species and not local at all.
What dangers do trapping and hunting pose for protected species?
Accidental captures are common. The amphibious vole, protected since 2012, is a victim, as are the otters. Anyone can become a trapper, without any real mandatory training. Traps must be cleared before 1 p.m. Imagine what happens to a trapped vole or otter at 2 p.m.! When the trapper arrives the next morning, they are dead because they absolutely cannot withstand the trapping conditions. And even if they are relieved quickly, people can mistake them for young coypu and kill them. As for shooting and bow hunting, accidents are also possible.
Are there solutions to avoid these malfunctions?
Approved centers offer training of two times 8 hours. Technicians from the hunting federation explain protected species to hunters. The FDGDON publishes an informative brochure. As for us, we are present when people come to get paid in line, and we raise their awareness and train them, it is essential, and that is when we reach the most people. But all that is a lot of public money for a questionable result, and once again, the risk of accidental capture remains a major problem. Hence the interest in calling on real professional trappers like Éric Bruneteau. Public money is wasted.
“They contribute to the spread of diseases”
What is the problem with these aquatic mammals? “They participate in the spread of diseases present in stagnant water “, answers the specialist .
“Their grazing prevents grass growthin the meadows, they consume cornand their burrows cause the subsidence of the banks . By grazing on invasive plant species, they even contribute to their propagation…” In short, the muskrat has no advantage. Can we not then promote it rather than throwing away the corpses?
It's not in our culture.
On the other hand, elsewhere in Charente-Maritimel’Bruneteau companytraps and enhances coypus since 1984 creating economy and jobs .
« The Brouage marsh(10,000 hectares) has been entrusted to us for five years. We went from 15,000 captures to 4,800 this year, proof that the population has stopped growing. The problem is knowing how to understand the situation,” notes Éric Bruneteau.
” The community of communes of Rochefortunderstood this and has just entrusted us with 200 additional hectares. Where the Fredon painfully captured 200 coypu a year, we are going to reach 1,500 in two months, with two trappers on a quad! »
The company values its catches by marketing pâtés. In 1987Éric Bruneteau also created the Myocastors park: “I wanted to show that he is not a dirty and dangerous monster. He is clean and peaceful, he only defends himself if he feels in danger. »
Three things to know
Do not confuse coypu and rat
Cousin of the beaver, Myocastor Coypus is commonly called “coypu” or, depending on the region, “marsh hare”, “marsh beaver” or “Chilean beaver”. Without any relation to “rat”, this name would actually come from “raconde”. An 18th century furrier, Mr. Bechem, “distributed them in the trade under the name of “racoonda”, which he derived from that of “racoon”, by which the English designate a North American animal”. as specified by the naturalist Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire.
They can carry leptospirosis
Coypus and muskrats blamed, but what is the exact situation? According to the Regional Health Agency (ARS), all aquatic rodents can be carriers and therefore vectors of leptospirosis. It is a serious disease, sometimes fatal, caused by bacteria, leptospires. Contamination is generally linked to risky leisure activities or professions (swimming or practicing nautical activities in fresh water, maintenance of sanitation networks, agricultural professions, hunting, fishing in fresh water, etc.). Since August 2023, when the disease is subject to mandatory reporting by doctors to the ARS, there have been 34 cases of leptospirosis in Normandy, including 8 in Manche. It is recommended to wear personal protective equipment in the event of a risky activity; In case of wound, wash with plenty of drinking water and soap, disinfect with an antiseptic, protect the wound with a waterproof dressing. Vaccination is only effective against certain leptospires and recommended in professional activities in risky environments.
Sensitive beings
The FDGDON 50 reminds us that these animals are sentient beings. “Their killing must be rapid and without relentlessness. The least cruel remains the firearm. That they are disturbing does not justify any sadism or cruelty. We introduced them into our territory and are solely responsible for the damage they are accused of. Doubly so, since we created a favorable habitat for it by developing the marshes and creating banks that did not exist in their natural state. Natural marshes are not favorable to them, while canals and banks created by man favor their settlement. » By destroying the banks, in a way, it only restores the marsh to its original state.
From our correspondent Vanessa AUFFRET
45,000 coypu: this is the number of coypu captured in 2024 in the Channel, but this figure continues to increase every year, which means that the fight is not won.
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