As giant rodents thrive in Italy, mayor comes up with novel solution - eat them

www.telegraph.co.uk ^ | 3 May 2018 • 12:42pm | Nick Squires

[Red Badger]

As Italy struggles to deal with burgeoning populations of an introduced giant rodent, a mayor has come up with a novel solution – eat them.

Coypu were introduced to Italy a century ago from their native South America to be farmed for their fur.

But many escaped or were deliberately released after wearing fur fell out of fashion and the species is now thriving.

They have fared particularly well in the flatlands of the Po valley in northern Italy, where farmers complain that they devour crops and destroy levees and embankments by digging burrows.

Michele Marchi, the mayor of the town of Gerre de’ Caprioli, has suggested that numbers could be reduced if only Italians can develop a taste for coypu meat. He has tried it and says it tastes a bit like rabbit.

His proposal, launched on his Facebook page, has caused a lively social media debate, with some people in favour of the idea and others revolted by the prospect of tucking it what looks like a cross-between a beaver and a large rat.

“The debate about coypu has become bonkers, without coming to any resolution of the problem,” the 31-year-old mayor wrote.

“Here’s my idea – let’s start eating them in restaurants and at village food festivals.”

However unpalatable the idea, he insisted that he was not joking and said there were regions of Italy that were already warming to the idea of tucking into roast, broiled or braised coypu.

“I’m totally serious. It’s true that there is a sense of revulsion towards the coypu but you just have to go into a pig farm to put it into context – everybody loves to eat prosciutto. We should at least start to discuss the idea.”

[Army Air Corps]

Not that there’s anything wrong with that...

[Zhang Fei]

You gotta wonder where that Taco Bell meat came from.

[NorthMountain]

If life gives you nutria, serve them roasted with a lemon béarnaise sauce.

[Red Badger]

Ratatouille?...................

[GingisK]

...The cat’s in kettle at the China Moon....

[eldoradude]

Tourist at the Vatican Café:

I would like a Ratzenburger please.

[Brilliant]

They wouldn’t be on my menu but maybe my dogs.

[SunkenCiv]

Mystery meat lasagne, coming to a store near you. Thanks Red Badger.

[Gamecock]

Well, if they eat the nutria then they can also make hats.

Win-Win!

[Red Badger]

I see what you did there.................

[oldasrocks]

Call it kosher Soylent Green.

[Red Badger]

Nutria........the OTHER other white meat!................

[SaveFerris]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeyC52zeSGA

[Pollster1]

It’s Italy. The recipes will probably be delicious.

[SpaceBar]

Nutria are extremly docile animals and are kept by some as exotic pets. They are semi-aquatic vegetarians and do well in a pool stocked with hyacinth and edible plants.

[Zhang Fei]

“...The cat’s in kettle at the China Moon....”

---

Based on my (admittedly second-hand) observations of actual Chinese culinary preferences, your chances of dining on Scooby Doo or Garfield at a Chinese establishment are about as high as those of encountering filet mignon at a McDonald’s. They *prefer* exotic meats, and this preference is reflected in steep prices for patrons who are so inclined.

[SgtHooper]

Dayum! I think I want the baby portion.

[SC DOC]

Only $30/lb

[bgill]

[GingisK]

I have a Chinese wife, and have traveled in China somewhat extensively. They eat everything with equal fervor, anything they can get to go down their throats.