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Invasive swamp rat poses big threat to wildlife in California’s Central Valley

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Invasive swamp rat poses big threat to wildlife in California’s Central Valley


SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY – Nutria, a giant rodent also called the swamp rat, is continuing to invade California’s Central Valley, according to the US Department of Fish and Wildlife.

This invasive species can destroy not only habitats but also critical levees agricultural lands need.

Officials are trapping them and getting rid of them. They say it is the best thing they can do right now, but these Nutria keep coming back and in high numbers.

For officials at the local and national level, this is a big priority.

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“I had to bring a taxidermic rodent into the halls of Congress,” said Congressman Josh Harder.

Congressman Harder represents San Joaquin County, and Thursday morning came out to the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge to see the progress wildlife officials have made on eradicating Nutria.

Also called the swamp rat, it’s an invasive species in California.

“Once you get one of these rodents into a wetland, they just take over,” said Harder. “That’s the danger of one of these invasive species, we don’t have natural protections.”

Back in 2020, Harder secured $12 million of funding for five years to beef up wildlife official’s battle to get rid of Nutria.

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But it’s not just bad for the habitats in the refuge.

“They cause a lot of damage to wetlands and infrastructure to water infrastructure. California has a lot of water that gets moved around,” said Chris Harper.

Farmland and levees are also under threat from the Nutria.

Harper is the project leader with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife. He says his team continues to trap and get rid of the swamp rats as much as they can.

So far this year, along the San Joaquin River 77 have been captured.

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They originate from South America but were brought to California as part of the fur trade.

Thought to be extinct, they were found again in California in 2017.

Since then, more than 4,600 have been captured, and the numbers keep growing, with Stanislaus County having captured nearly 1,000 to date.

Harper says the funding is helpful.
 
“Five new techs to really help run the cameras and run the traps full time. So we were really able to staff up this season,” he said.

But it’s running out. That’s why Harder says the funding he secured four years ago needs to be reauthorized.

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“If we don’t get this species eradicated,” Harder said. “It will cost hundreds of millions of dollars of infrastructure damage and agricultural damage over the next couple of years.”

Officials told CBS13 it’s hard to estimate how many Nutria are still out there in each county.

They also couldn’t give a timeframe for how much longer it will take to rid Nutria of this area, but they see it as necessary.



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California

Jamie Lee Curtis fights back tears on ‘Tonight Show’ over California wildfire ‘catastrophe’ near her home: ‘It’s f–king gnarly, guys’

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Jamie Lee Curtis fights back tears on ‘Tonight Show’ over California wildfire ‘catastrophe’ near her home: ‘It’s f–king gnarly, guys’


Jamie Lee Curtis fought back tears as she detailed the “catastrophe” of the Palisades Fire near her California home when she appeared on “The Tonight Show” Wednesday.

“As you know, where I live is on fire right now. Literally, the entire city of the Pacific Palisades is burning. I flew here last night. I was on the plane and started getting texts. It’s f–king gnarly, you guys,” Curtis said.

“It’s a catastrophe in Southern California. Obviously there has been horrific fires in many places. This is literally where I live. Everything.”

Jamie Lee Curtis during her appearance on “The Tonight Show” on Jan. 8, 2025. The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Curtis said she had “many, many, many” friends who have lost their homes in the devastation of the fires.

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“It’s a really awful situation,” she added.

The 66-year-old added she was flying home first thing Thursday to be with her family and friends.

The Academy Award-winning actress, who lives in Los Angeles with her husband Christopher Guest, took to Instagram earlier Wednesday to share with her followers that her home was “possibly” on fire.

Helicopters drop water on the Sunset Fire on Jan. 8, 2025. GC Images
A firefighters works as the Palisades Fire burns a house next to the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades. AP

“My community and possibly my home is on fire,” the actress wrote in the post. “My family is safe. Many of my friends will lose their homes. Many other communities as well.”

“Take care of each other,” she told her followers. “Stay out of the way and let the firefighters do their work. Pray if you believe in it and even if you don’t, pray for those who do.”

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Stay up to date with the NYP’s coverage of the terrifying LA-area fires


The Emmy winner is one of tens of thousands of people who have been forced to flee their homes in Pacific Palisades and neighboring areas.

Four fires have exploded in Los Angeles County, taking over 27,000 acres of land with zero containment in the Palisades, Eaton and Sunset fires.

The Hurst Fire is 10 percent contained, officials announced.

The fires are being fueled by strong winds, “dry fuels” and low humidity.

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The “Halloween” star isn’t the only Hollywood figure whose home is under threat due to the fires.

Harrison Ford was seen talking to police as he attempted to get through to check on his $12.6 million Brentwood home he had evacuated because of the raging blaze.

Ford’s “Star Wars” co-star Mark Hamill was forced to flee his Malibu home Tuesday as the fire bore down on the area.

Firefighters fight the Sunset Fire in the hills overlooking the Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles. REUTERS

The 73-year-old actor detailed his hour-long “last minute” evacuation from Malibu as he experienced the most horrific fire since 1993.

Other LA-based celebrities have been forced to evacuate their homes amid the crisis, including “This Is Us” star Mandy Moore, “Schitt’s Creek” star Eugene Levy and “Once Upon a Time in America” actor James Woods.

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Maps: See how large the California wildfires are

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Maps: See how large the California wildfires are


Multiple major wildfires are leaving a trail of destruction and death in the Los Angeles area.

A handful of wildfires kicked up Tuesday, powered by high winds and dry conditions , and have exploded in size. As of Tuesday afternoon, 2 people have been killed and more than 80,000 people have been evacuated. 

Follow live coverage here.

The maps below show the size and status of the fires. They will be updated frequently.

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AIR7 video offers aerial view of wildfires' destruction in LA County: WATCH LIVE

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AIR7 video offers aerial view of wildfires' destruction in LA County: WATCH LIVE


LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Aerial video from AIR7 on Wednesday morning offered one of the first overhead glimpses at the devastation caused by multiple wildfires in Los Angeles County.

Footage from the helicopter showed the destructive path of the Eaton Fire near Altadena, which resulted in at least two fatalities while destroying more than 100 structures and burning more than 2,200 acres.

Shortly after 9:30 a.m., the aircraft’s perspective showed several two-story homes burning in the area of Lilac Canyon Lane, located in a residential neighborhood near the north end of Lincoln Avenue. Many nearby houses were smoldering.

Meanwhile, another ABC7 helicopter was over Pacific Palisades, where massive plumes of smoke continued to rise above burning homes in the foothills. Other structures were completely destroyed.

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Houses were also on fire near Topanga Canyon Boulevard, the major artery that stretches from the San Fernando Valley to Pacific Coast Highway.

Media and fire department aircraft were mostly grounded Tuesday due to dangerous conditions caused by a powerful windstorm in the region.

Copyright © 2025 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.



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