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Giant swamp rats invade a Texas park causing concern for local water supply and human infections - Daily Mail
Aug 09, 2020 1 min, 38 secs

A Texas park is battling against a swarm of giant swamp rats that invaded the area in the past year. .

Wildlife experts called on the public this week not to feed the colony of swamp rats, otherwise known as nutrias, that are taking over Krauss Baker Park in Fort Worth. .

Local park authorities said the colony began to form at least a year ago, but should not be encouraged to grow further because of the damage the creatures can cause to the local ecosystem and water supply. .

This large colony of swamp rats has invaded Krauss Baker Park in Fort Worth.

The rodents can eat up to 25 percent of their body weight per day and large settlements lead to a decrease in water quality and the destruction of habitats for  local animals and plants.  .

While the swamp rats are not uncommon in Fort Worth, Texas Parks and Wildlife told WFAA that it is rare to see such a large group. 

The Parks Department has warned they can decrease the local water quality

Richter said she believes that there are currently about 20 swamp rats in Krauss Baker Park and that they are being well fed from food of park patrons. 

Rachel Richter, a wildlife biologist for Texas Parks and Wildlife, urged the public not to feed the swamp rats and explained how their large appetite can destroy the ecosystem 

The animals were originally brought to the United States in the late 1800s by fur traders and sold as vegetation control because of their healthy appetites but have since become a nuisance for wildlife preservation.  

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