Rodents of Unusual Size

Invited

When the Great Depression hit Louisiana hard, Tabasco heir Edward McIlhenny decided to inject the stagnant economy with a surefire moneymaker: importing nutria from Argentina to bolster the local fur trade. Prolific breeders, these 20-pound rodents with gigantic orange teeth quickly ate their way across the bayou, turning Louisiana’s wetlands into a wasteland. As the fur trade bottomed out, trappers stopped keeping nutrias’ numbers down and the rate of land loss exploded. Still reeling from a series of devastating hurricanes, Louisianans have rallied to address these rodents running amuck through their marsh and help abate the erosion. Further incentivized by a five-dollar bounty for every nutria tail collected, fishermen and other locals are now on the hunt, having found a welcome source of income in the off-season. Evil invasive species, cuddly pet, or highly sustainable local resource? Directors Quinn Costello, Chris Metzler, and Jeff Springer let you decide. Whichever way you fall, this quirky environmental doc delivers a highly engaging tale.  WFM

Q&A following screening

Directors

Quinn Costello, Chris Metzler, Jeff Springer

Producers

Chris Metzler, Quinn Costello, Jeff Springer

Editor

Quinn Costello

Cinematographer

Jeff Springer

Release Year

2017

Festival Year

2018

Country

United States

Run Time

71 minutes