Pet nutria seized from its owners after finding internet fame, will be moved to Baton Rouge Zoo

Pet nutria seized from its owners after finding internet fame, will be moved to Baton Rouge Zoo
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BATON ROUGE – Neuty the nutria, an unusual pet whose social media fame exploded in the past week amid numerous profiles at New Orleans-area news outlets, was removed from his home and will be relocated to the Baton Rouge Zoo. 

Neuty had been living with a family in Jefferson Parish for years.  Dylan Lacoste, whose family owns Dennis’ Seafood in Matairie, told WWL-TV that the large rodent had been in his family since they found him December 2020.

“He eats healthier than me,” Dylan Lacoste told the station. “He’s good. He really is good. He’s just like a dog.”

In a news release Thursday, however, the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced that Neuty had been seized, noting that owning a nutria — an invasive species — is illegal in Louisiana. The department noted that it found out about the illicit pet after multiple news stories were posted about Neuty on Wednesday.

The department said it made arrangements for the Baton Rouge Zoo to take on Neuty before seizing him from his owners Thursday. 

Read the full statement from the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries below. 

A family’s pet nutria, removed Thursday (March 16) from the home of a New Orleans couple, will be moved to the Baton Rouge Zoo and be part of an educational exhibit, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) announced Thursday.

It is illegal to have a wild animal as a pet, especially a nutria, which is an invasive species and could be a source of health issues.

LDWF discovered the existence of the pet nutria after stories about the animal appeared this week in New Orleans area media. Once the status was made public, the department decided that it should be removed. The department also started communications with the Baton Rouge Recreation and Park Commission which operates the Baton Rouge Zoo to find a means of saving the animal.

BREC and Zoo officials agreed Thursday to accept the animal.

After those arrangements were completed, LDWF agents contacted the owners and told them that the animal had to be removed and that arrangements had been made with the BR Zoo. In most cases the animal would have been placed back into the wild. However, LDWF biologists and Zoo officials said that because the animal has been habituated to humans, it would not be able to survive in the wild.

It is well known in Louisiana that nutria causes extensive damage to wetlands, agricultural crops and structural foundations, including roads and dikes. They may also threaten human health and safety and serve as a reservoir for several diseases.

It is against the law in Louisiana to possess injured or orphaned mammals without an LDWF Rehabilitation permit, even if there is a plan to release them. It is illegal to possess wildlife as a pet or for the pet trade. There is no permit for this activity and no permit will be issued for it.

In a statement issued Thursday, Zoo officials said it “plans to take in the nutria into our animal family after a short stint at a rehabilitation facility…The nutria will join our Ambassador Animal Program.

“The Zoo has another male nutria that’s already a part of the ambassador animal program, so the two will eventually be acclimated and brought together. As social animals, the nutria should be comfortably at ease and enjoy this exposure to another animal of the same species.

“The Zoo’s professional staff will care for the nutria as they would all other animals within their skilled care and looks forward to bringing a new member into the zoo animal family.”

LDWF appreciates the owner’s affection for the animal and their understanding of the rules regarding its removal. LDWF discourages the public from housing wild animals as pets.

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About Mary Weyand 15922 Articles
Mary founded Scoop Tour with an aim to bring relevant and unaltered news to the general public with a specific view point for each story catered by the team. She is a proficient journalist who holds a reputable portfolio with proficiency in content analysis and research. With ample knowledge about the Automobile industry, she also contributes her knowledge for the Automobile section of the website.

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