Photo/Illutration Nutrias, an invasive species originally from South America, have established themselves in parts of Japan, as seen in this photo taken at the Kamogawa river in Kyoto in 2012. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

IWATA, Shizuoka Prefecture—In an unusual approach to pest control and sustainable food sourcing, Iwata officials have launched a project to turn nutria—a large, invasive rodent—into game meat for human consumption.

Native to South America, nutrias have damaged broccoli, rice and other local crops since they were first spotted around Iwata in 2021.

A few individuals are captured each year, and officials say it’s time to explore not just eradication, but utilization.

Iwata Mayor Hiroaki Kusachi has sampled nutria in the form of sausage and a tomato-based stew, and praised the results.

“It tastes great, and I see no issues with it as a marketable product,” Kusachi said. “Instead of seeing these animals just as pests, we should explore ways to put them to good use. Doing so could also help promote a more sustainable, circular society.”

The initiative, unveiled on Sept. 3, is a collaboration between the municipal government, the local hunting association, the Japan Agricultural Co-operative (JA) and the Shizuoka Professional University of Agriculture.

Under a newly signed agreement, the four parties will gather data through next spring. Hunters will use live traps and air rifles to capture nutrias, while the JA will compile reports on crop damage and sightings.

The collected data, including the capture location, size and condition of the animals, will help form strategies to prevent future damage.

Researchers from the university will focus on analyzing the nutritional value, meat quality and flavor of nutria. They aim to develop menu ideas that could eventually be introduced to restaurants or markets.

Although an establishment in the prefecture already serves nutria dishes, comprehensive information about the meat’s nutritional content is still lacking.