Fashion Event Says Nutria Fur Acceptable

New Orleans fashion designer Micha Michelle Melancon is working with the Barataria-Terrebonne Estuary Foundation to put on an event called Nutria Palooza to promote the use of nutria fur for clothing. Nutria are also called swamp rats and are considered pests in Louisiana because they damage wild wetlands habitats. They were introduced there decades ago to be kept on fur farms in cages, but the wily animals escaped into the swamp where they bred prolifically.

Reportedly now they inhabit 23,000 acres of protected swamp and coast lands, which the nutria are damaging by eating the native plants. Their tendency is to inhabit an area until they have eaten every plant in sight, and then move to the next space and do it again. The areas they decimate are called eat-outs, and there isn’t anything left for other species to use for for food or habitat.

The Barataria-Terrebonne Estuary Foundation was formed to preserve and restore Louisiana’s wetlands and coastal areas. They are the main sponsor of Nutria Palooza which is taking place in New York to promote the animal’s fur in a fashion show at the House of Yes, with twenty designers. About 150 people are expected to watch a fashion show exhibiting leg warmers, hats, muffs and even a wedding dress. A wedding dress containing swamp rat fur might seem like a stretch, but nutria coats were popular with a few Hollywood actresses decades ago, so they could make a comeback.

One might expect PETA to protest the event but so far they haven’t made an official statement criticizing the fashion show. Several shows have already been held in New Orleans, called Righteous Fur because of the view nutria fur fashion is not only acceptable, but also guilt-free and environmentally friendly. Nutria are such a problem in Louisiana the state pays five dollars for every one that is killed. About 400,000 were bagged by local hunters and trappers last year, but the carcasses were left in the swamps or discarded.

Fashion designer Cree McCree decided to try and use the surplus of deceased nutria for her designs, even using the teeth to make necklaces which sell for $85. She started Righteous Furs to promote her fashion items and the use of nutria fur. She works with Ms. Melancon promoting nutria fashions.

Image Credit: J. Patrick Fischer

Read more: Pets, Nature & Wildlife, Wildlife, fur, nutria, swamp rats

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Laura S.

4:40AM PST on Feb 14, 2013

Well, they are wrong. If I had my way, there would be no wars, no homeless problem, no poverty, no overweight people, no gun violence, and no cruelty to animals, and people would all get along, and that would make every one happier.

February 14
send a green star

Antiope K.

9:05PM PST on Feb 11, 2013

Fur is MURDER,pure & simple!! The bloody fur industry embodies animal cruelty and abuse, raising animals in miserable conditions only to face a painful & horrible death.These poor, innocent animals suffer unimaginable and gut-wrenching abuse and agony from their birth, throughout their short lives, then bludgeoned, gassed,electrocuted or skinned alive!! Anyone who sells, buys or wears fur has the blood of these helpless animals on their hands too, not just the heartless freaks who kill them!!!
Fur is worn by amazing animals and ugly people like Gaga,Kardashians,etc,etc!!

February 11
send a green star

Patty B.

8:29AM PST on Feb 9, 2013

Something about south and killin' ...LEAVE THE ANIMALS ALONE !

February 9
send a green star

NessOffline P.

12:22AM PST on Feb 9, 2013

Unbelievable, another shake my head moment! When will bloody fashion designers get it through their thick skulls NO FUR NOR ANIMAL PARTS REQUIRED FOR FASHION!!!!!!!!!!

Natasha S.

8:37AM PST on Feb 8, 2013

God no. What a senseless,callous baffoon. No animal should be killed for their fur. Has this idiot not heard of the great alternative called '' FAUX FUR ''????