Le Ragondin (Coypu)
This week’s prompt from 100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups is the phrase
…and winter will bring…
We see many Coypu on our travels in France, introduced from warmer climes many years ago to be farmed for their fur. Escaped, or simply liberated as the fur trade has declined, they are largely detested, and cruelly hunted.
The canal is quieter today; no more explosive gunfire, barking dogs or the clash of steel that killed her mate yesterday.
She glides by the bank, peppered with burrows she and her colony have dug. This is what angers the hunters, when perforated banking collapses, flooding their fields. This, and the devastation of crops to feed the coypu young.
Far from her native clime, she’s served her family, as her ancestors served her hunters.
Now her young have fled, making their own lives. She is old, hungry and alone, and winter will bring the hard frosts that will likely kill her.
C’est la vie?
castelsarrasin 
Very powerful, and I love that this is from her perspective, but also educates us about the realities of man vs. animal.
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Thanks Lisa. I’ve always been fascinated by these creatures whose plight really strikes a chord with me.
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Powerful and so true… Thank you for stopping by my blog and your kind comment.
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Thanks Debra! 🙂
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Very nice story, and I learned something new as well. Thank you
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Im glad you liked it. I do all I can to publicise the plight of the poor Coypu, pest though it is considered to be.
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Here in Sweden it’s mainly mink that is now well established as part of the fauna. Not a pest really, but damage the endemic fauna.
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So cute – though I understand why the farmers don’t want them.
A strong story. Happily I think animals are good at living in the present moment, unlike us, who tend to make our lives as miserable as we can….
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Yes, I understand the POV of the farmers – I just wish they could go for a more humane kill, if kill they must.
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Very informative. My first thought when looking at this animal that it was a rat escaping a sinking ship. Well written. 🙂
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I think they are some kind of a muskrat. Some of them are quite tame, and will frequently congregate around boats hoping for food. Thanks for commenting.
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A different take and well written. I felt so sad for her.
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Thank you Sally! 🙂
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A sad, sad reality, and I felt very sad for this beautiful creature – it’s horrible when particular animals are branded pests just because their rightful dwellings clash with their human nieghbours. Anyway, it was a lovely piece, and original take on the prompt.
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Yes, I feel quite strongly that they were brought here to be farmed and then just turned loose when the market declined. In Germany I believe they are eaten, known as nutria, quite a delicacy. Not for me though! Thanks for commenting.
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Thank you, I’m glad you liked it.
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I love the perspective and the picture; I think we call this a muskrat or an otter. Either way, the natural habitats of animals is slowly being invaded by humanity. It’s difficult for both sides to persevere with out interfering with the other. And each life runs its course. C’est la vie. 🙂
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It’s certainly different to an otter, but I believe the term muskrat is often used. Thanks for dropping by.
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I too felt sad for her and hope she can find somewhere to see the winter through. We humans have it easy really.
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Yes, they do tug at my heart strings a bit. Thanks for dropping by Anna.
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