What are nutria?

Beavers with a Cajun accent. Known scientifically as Myocastor coypus, which translates roughly as “mouse beaver,” nutria are the South American cousins of the North American beaver. Called coypu in much of the world, nutria, like beavers, are semi-aquatic rodents.

How did they become an invasive species?

Imported to Louisiana and other states in the 1930s, nutria were initially raised on fur farms for their lustrous pelts. When a few escaped into the wild, their population quickly exploded into an invasive army that destroys wetlands by eating marsh grasses and burrowing into levees and bayousides.

How much damage do they do?

A lot. Although damage is down due to the success of the state’s Coastwide Nutria Control Program, which pays a $5 bounty for the tails of captured nutria, the marsh-munchers continue to impact over 6,200 acres of coastal wetlands each year.

Why is Righteous Fur eco-friendly?

Currently, 98% of nutria are simply destroyed after capture. Recycling their pelts into useful and fashionable apparel encourages bounty hunters to increase their nutria yield, decreasing damage to the wetlands. Also, a portion of all profits goes to the Barataria-Terrebonne Estuary Foundation, which works to restore our vanishing coast. By supporting Righteous Fur, you are helping to save America’s wetlands.

To learn more about nutria and invasive species, visit these links:

• Exotic Invasive Species
• Nutria Wetlands Damage