Hamburg, April 25 – As the nutria population continues to expand rapidly across Hamburg, the Green Party is advocating for a more humane approach to population control: sterilization. This proposal comes as authorities have culled over 3,500 nutria in the 2024/25 hunting season, a significant increase from just a few hundred five years prior.
Nutria Population Soars Across Hamburg
Nutria, an invasive species, have been spreading throughout Hamburg for nearly a decade, now inhabiting areas from the Alster to the Vierlande. In the Bergedorf district, residents are concerned about potential damage to dikes and riverbanks caused by these animals. The district office has described their proliferation as “quite problematic.”
The city has been offering a 14-euro “tail premium” for culled nutria since August 2023, with 7,300 such premiums paid out. Since late 2025, hunting of nutria has been permitted throughout Hamburg.
Greens Propose Sterilization as Humane Alternative
The Green Party argues that sterilization, at an estimated cost of around ten euros per animal, would be a more humane and effective method of population control. They contend that culling does not curb the population but rather increases birth rates. Furthermore, a recent expert report suggests that nutria have not caused any proven damage to Hamburg’s dikes to date.
“Culling should only be a last resort,” stated a representative of the Green Party, emphasizing the need for ethical treatment of animals.
Uncertainty Regarding Damage in Other Districts
While concerns are high in Bergedorf, the extent of damage caused by nutria in other districts like Wandsbek and Hamburg-Nord, where the animals are also spreading, remains unknown.
This issue was discussed on NDR 90,3 | NDR 90,3 Aktuell | 25.04.2026 | 08:00 Uhr.
The debate surrounding nutria management highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing ecological concerns with animal welfare in urban environments. The city faces the task of finding a sustainable solution to control the population of this invasive species while addressing public concerns and scientific recommendations.
The proposal for sterilization opens a new chapter in the discussion, potentially shifting the focus from lethal methods to more compassionate and possibly more effective long-term strategies for managing invasive species in urban settings.
Further discussions and decisions on this matter are expected to involve various stakeholders, including environmental agencies, local authorities, and animal welfare organizations, as Hamburg seeks to navigate this complex issue.
