Louisiana's viral pet nutria, Neuty, dies peacefully after family's petition drew thousands

Neuty, a pet nutria in Louisiana whose family attracted thousands of supporters during their effort to keep him, has died.

Speaking to FOX 8, his owners said Neuty died peacefully in his sleep, closing the chapter on an animal who had become an unexpected local celebrity.

Here's what to know

The dispute began in 2023, when the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries said, as reported by FOX 8, that nutria could not be kept as household pets. Neuty's family pushed back, and a petition in his support drew countless backers.

He was seen at public appearances, including school visits, Christmas parties, and even the Louisiana State Capitol, per FOX 8. According to his family, the five years they had with Neuty were filled with joy.

More background

Nutria occupy an unusual place in Louisiana. They are widely known as large semiaquatic rodents originally from South America and are more often discussed as an invasive species rather than as household pets.

Wildlife officials objected to Neuty's living situation. Rules limiting the private ownership of wild animals are often intended to protect ecosystems, public safety, and the animals themselves, especially when the species is not typically domesticated.

And according to the USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center, nutria are invasive in the US and "damages vegetation and destroys habitat in wetlands." 

They are also quite destructive, as they consume only about 10% of the plant matter they unearth. Nutria also consume about a quarter of their body weight in food daily, according to the Washington Invasive Species Council.

What can be done?

State agencies play a major role in setting rules on which animals can legally be kept, and those policies can help prevent situations in which families become attached to animals they may not be allowed to keep.

And when people come across injured, abandoned, or vulnerable wild animals, contacting a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or state wildlife agency is usually the safest next step.

Where can I learn more?

Neuty's story brought together grief, an unusual bond with an animal, and the thorny questions that come up when wildlife is kept in homes. The articles here pick up on those same themes, from tributes to beloved pets to the dangers tied to keeping unusual animals and the pressures wild species face.

• In Texas, a late pet bird tribute grew into a nationwide conservation movement.

• In Florida, several sloths died, exposing disease threats tied to the illegal pet trade.

• In Australia, a surge in orphaned pups followed record heat deaths among flying foxes.

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