The official X account of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a bizarre request to Americans this week, begging them to “sauté” an invasive species in an effort to save the swamplands—but, as you might expect, it didn’t exactly go over well with their audience.
“EAT ME! Please? I’m invasive and delicious,” the thread of posts began, calling attention to National Invasive Species Awareness Week. “…this year, please consider the following slogan ‘Save a Swamp, Sauté a Nutria.'”
According to the agency, the mammal, which resembles small animals like a beaver, woodchuck, or groundhog, was brought to North America for their fur in the 1940s, but they quickly escaped captivity.
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“Their nonstop burrowing destroys the plants that keep marshes stable, leading to erosion, loss of habitat, and wetlands that look like something out of a disaster movie,” the agency added, comparing their meat to that of a rabbit and encouraging followers to check local hunting regulations for “rules for how to hunt, capture and then ultimately, cook these nuisance critters.”
These invasive pests were brought here for their fur and began to escape captivity back in the 1940s. Their nonstop burrowing destroys the plants that keep marshes stable, leading to erosion, loss of habitat, and wetlands that look like something out of a disaster movie. pic.twitter.com/hNvgTS7hOh
— U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (@USFWS) February 24, 2025
But not even the “delicious” dinner recipe for Smoked Nutria and Andouille Sausage Gumbo could convince other internet users.
“So the thing is I’m not gonna do that. good luck though,” one replied to the unexpected suggestion, confirming that, if they came face to face with a Nutria, they would “simply let him carry on with his adventures undisturbed.”
“they’re just chill lil guys,” someone else agreed, questioning, “what’s the problem.”
“it’s literally not his fault!” another defended the creature.
“Never in a million years,” another adamant response read, while someone else simply ordered, “Stop it, USFWS.”
“Is this the result of everyone having been fired by [Elon] Musk?” another follower joked suggesting another tagline: “Try ‘Rats. The only protein cheaper than peanut butter.'”
“come on, everyone’s trying the 20-pound wet rat,” someone else tried to convince critics, but the loudest consensus was that the organization was “crazy” for the post.
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