Curtailing the coypu
Shooting Times & Country|July 29, 2020
Now the subject of rare UFO-like ‘sightings’, coypu were commonplace in their 1950s heyday. G Lorne examines the rodent’s rise and fall
G Lorne
Curtailing the coypu
Of all the creatures that ever wandered into our village, I would think that the coypu was the strangest that I ever witnessed. Originating from South America, the coypu is a semiaquatic rodent that was brought to the UK in 1929 to be farmed for its fur. At that time, it was a valuable fashion accessory known as nutria.

It wasn’t long before there were escapees from farms in Sussex, Devon, Hampshire and Norfolk, and by the 1930s the coypu had begun to breed rapidly in the wild. An adult female could carry at least two litters each year and, with up to 13 young in each litter, their numbers simply rocketed.

For some reason, it appears that the coypu reproduced far better in the wild than they ever did in the captivity and protection of the nutria farms.

These giant vegetarians had no natural enemies in the wild and, at first, were treated as little more than a curiosity. As they ate their way voraciously through the vegetation that clogged the dykes and drains in vast areas of the fens and broads, they were, for a time, considered to be quite an asset.

Several species of waterfowl benefited from the improved habitat, as did the Marshman and pleasure boaters who could now navigate areas that had been impenetrable since World War I, when a shortage of manpower had seen the dykes become neglected and overgrown.

Lucrative market

It was during World War II that fresh interest in nutria was instigated, mainly due to the rationing of clothes. Subsequently, a fur dealer offered 30 shillings for each coypu pelt and there were soon few Marshman who were not enthusiastically cashing in on this lucrative market.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 29, 2020-Ausgabe von Shooting Times & Country.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 29, 2020-Ausgabe von Shooting Times & Country.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS SHOOTING TIMES & COUNTRYAlle anzeigen
United we stand
Shooting Times & Country

United we stand

Following United Utilities' decision to end grouse shooting on its land, Lindsay Waddell asks what will happen if we ignore our vital moors

time-read
5 Minuten  |
August 02, 2023
Serious matters
Shooting Times & Country

Serious matters

An old gamebook prompts a contemplation on punt-gunning

time-read
3 Minuten  |
August 02, 2023
They're not always as easy as they seem
Shooting Times & Country

They're not always as easy as they seem

While coneys of the furry variety don't pose a problem for Blue Zulu, he's left frustrated once again by bolting bunnies of the clay sort

time-read
5 Minuten  |
August 02, 2023
Debutant gundogs
Shooting Times & Country

Debutant gundogs

There's lots to think about when it comes to making the decision about when to introduce your dog to shooting

time-read
4 Minuten  |
August 02, 2023
When the going gets rough
Shooting Times & Country

When the going gets rough

Al Gabriel returns to the West London Shooting School to brush up on his rough shooting technique

time-read
5 Minuten  |
August 02, 2023
The Field Guide To British Deer - BDS 60th Anniversary Edition
Shooting Times & Country

The Field Guide To British Deer - BDS 60th Anniversary Edition

In this excerpt from the 60th anniversary edition of the BDS's Field Guide To British Deer, Charles Smith-Jones considers the noise they make

time-read
4 Minuten  |
August 02, 2023
A step too far?
Shooting Times & Country

A step too far?

Simon Garnham wonders whether a new dog, a new gun and two different fields in need of protection might have been asking too much for one afternoon's work

time-read
6 Minuten  |
August 02, 2023
Two bucks before breakfast
Shooting Times & Country

Two bucks before breakfast

A journey from old South London to rural Hertfordshire to stalk muntjac suggests that the two aren't as far detached as they might seem

time-read
6 Minuten  |
August 02, 2023
Stalking Diary
Shooting Times & Country

Stalking Diary

Stalkers can be a sentimental bunch, and they often carry a huge attachment to their hill

time-read
2 Minuten  |
August 02, 2023
Gamekeeper
Shooting Times & Country

Gamekeeper

Alan Edwards believes unique, private experiences can help keepers become more competent and passionate custodians of the countryside

time-read
3 Minuten  |
August 02, 2023