Fur, at least the real kind, is not really in fashion in the U.S., with most consumers preferring to buy the faux type for a variety of reasons.
Now, however, some are suggesting that designers and retailers need to be thinking of selling one variety of real fur because it will protect the environment and create needed commerce right here at home.
The nutria is a large rodent that was brought to the U.S. in the 1930s from South America for its fur. As has happened with many other foreign species brought to the U.S., this quickly reproducing species found a way into the wild and their numbers took off. With the growing population came decimation of native habitat and species in Louisiana and Maryland's Eastern Shore. At one point, according to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, up to 100,000 acres of marshland in the state was destroyed by the rodents. That number has dropped to 23,000 with a hunting program to control the nutria.
In Louisiana, according to a Times-Picayune article, more than 300,000 nutria are killed every year with hunters receiving $5 per tail. Most of the pelts are destroyed.
Cree McCree, founder of an organization called Righteous Fur, "It's a beautiful fur, and right now most of it is going to waste."
Ms. McCree recently ran a show in New Orleans that put products made from nutria on display.
"I'm hoping this will go beyond a cool New Orleans event. I believe that some designers who have been reluctant to work with fur in the past might be interested in nutria when they understand the whole picture, that these animals are doing terrible damage to our coast," she told The Times-Picayune. "I think we need to honor the animal by using the animal, not just killing it."
Discussion Questions: Is there a compelling for creating consumer demand for nutria fur in the U.S.? What would marketers and retailers need to do to overcome obstacles created for fur sales in recent years?