Waterways Ireland has issued an invasive species alert for a rodent that is a pest of agricultural crops.
It is known as a coypu and was sighted at the Royal Canal in Dublin. It was previously spotted in Cork City in 2017.
Already established
“The species is already established in many countries and it is spreading in Europe.
"A large number of scientific publications demonstrate the invasiveness of the species in aquatic ecosystems and its economic impact due to damage to crops and river banks,” the Biodiversity Ireland website states.
Waterways Ireland said that eradication programmes for the copyu can cost several millions of euro and are not always successful.
The mammal can carry a number of diseases of importance to humans and domestic animals.
It is an EU-regulated species, with trade, transport and reproduction restrictions in place.
What does a copyu look like?
Copyu
It is a large semi-aquatic rodent up to 1m in head-to-tail length. The features are the same in its young. It can weigh 5kg to 9kg. It has webbed hind feet.
It has dark fur, often with lighter ends, and has a white muzzle, a long cylindrical tail (not fur tail like the otter) and small slightly protruding ears.
Its distinctive features are its large bright orange-yellow incisor (front) teeth, usually visible. Coypu are generally found near permanent water.
Waterways Ireland has called on the public to report sightings with photographs, but not to try to trap them.
Sightings can be reported to:
Waterways Ireland Environment Section 061-922141. NPWS at biodiversitypolicy@chg.gov.ie or your local National Parks and Wildlife ranger with details of location/date; a photo if available. invasives@biodiversityireland.ie. http://records.biodiversityireland.ie. Read more
Rodenticide training courses available to NI farmers
Waterways Ireland has issued an invasive species alert for a rodent that is a pest of agricultural crops.
It is known as a coypu and was sighted at the Royal Canal in Dublin. It was previously spotted in Cork City in 2017.
Already established
“The species is already established in many countries and it is spreading in Europe.
"A large number of scientific publications demonstrate the invasiveness of the species in aquatic ecosystems and its economic impact due to damage to crops and river banks,” the Biodiversity Ireland website states.
Waterways Ireland said that eradication programmes for the copyu can cost several millions of euro and are not always successful.
The mammal can carry a number of diseases of importance to humans and domestic animals.
It is an EU-regulated species, with trade, transport and reproduction restrictions in place.
What does a copyu look like?
Copyu
It is a large semi-aquatic rodent up to 1m in head-to-tail length. The features are the same in its young. It can weigh 5kg to 9kg. It has webbed hind feet.
It has dark fur, often with lighter ends, and has a white muzzle, a long cylindrical tail (not fur tail like the otter) and small slightly protruding ears.
Its distinctive features are its large bright orange-yellow incisor (front) teeth, usually visible. Coypu are generally found near permanent water.
Waterways Ireland has called on the public to report sightings with photographs, but not to try to trap them.
Sightings can be reported to:
Waterways Ireland Environment Section 061-922141. NPWS at biodiversitypolicy@chg.gov.ie or your local National Parks and Wildlife ranger with details of location/date; a photo if available. invasives@biodiversityireland.ie. http://records.biodiversityireland.ie. Read more
Rodenticide training courses available to NI farmers
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