Be careful out there...
Waterworks Ireland have warned of a "large invasive rodent", which has been spotted along the Royal Canal in Dublin.
Sightings of coypu, a semi-aquatic creature with bright orange teeth, a long tail, and webbed back feet have been reported near the Ashtown area of the canal close to Castleknock.
Waterways Ireland
released a list of physical features, to help recognise the rodent.
- Large semi-aquatic rodent up to 1 metre in head to tail length.
- Features same in juveniles.
- It can weigh 5-9kg.
- It has webbed hind feet.
- Dark fur often with lighter ends and has a white muzzle.
- Has long cylindrical tail (not fur tail like otter) and small slightly protruding ears.
- Distinctive features are large bright orange-yellow incisor (front) teeth usually visible.
- Coypu are generally found near permanent water.
The Coypu is known to carry a number of diseases that can be harmful to humans and domestic animals, and it also causes extensive harm to river banks and flood defences.
As well as that, it also destroys root crops and eats bird eggs.
People have also been strictly urged not to trap, harm, or engage with these rodents.
So not that you should need to be warned, but don't go petting one of them.
In 2016, 10 coypu were shot on the Curraheen river on the outskirts of the city.
Sightings should be reported to Waterways Ireland and the National Parks and Wildlife Service, which will undertake “eradication measures” as quickly as possible.
“Eradication programmes can cost several millions of euro and are not always successful,” Waterways Ireland said.
