Where's Saffron? Agency won't share fate, health of pet opossum seized during Mardi Gras (2024)

Twelve days ago, agents of The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Department confiscated a pet opossum named Saffron during the city’s Carnival celebration. Now the marsupial's owner wants to get his hand-raised pet back, or at least find out if it’s OK.

But the LWFD won’t even discuss the animal’s well-being, or its location.

What began as an unusual law enforcement action has now becomea human-interest story in The New York Timesand a cause celebre behind thousands of signatures on an online petition pleading that the LWFD return the pet safely.

Owner William Voiles is a regular sight on the Decatur Street side of the Vieux Carre, pedaling slowly along on an adult tricycle that he uses to transport his menagerie of pets, which can include small dogs, a rabbit and, until recently, an opossum.

The French Quarter was the usual jubilant mob scene on the night of Feb. 10, the Saturday before Mardi Gras. But the celebration came to an abrupt halt for Voiles when he was stopped on his trike by law enforcement officers at 11 p.m. at the corner of Royal and St. Peters Streets.

Opossums are, of course, a common sight in New Orleans, awkwardly wandering the streets at night, searching trash cans for treats, and startling unexpecting citizens. A popular Mardi Gras costume this year featured a person in a possum suit accompanied by a walking trash can.

Despite their ubiquity, in Louisiana it is illegal to keep an opossum as a pet. The state’s title 56 pretty much outlaws keeping any wildlife as pets.

So, the officers of The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Department seized Saffron the opossum and caged him as they cited Voiles for his violation, which could cost him $500 and even possible jail time.

Saffron was reportedly wearing a snug blue sweater at the time. Voiles said he pleaded with the officers to keep the garment on Saffron for as long as possible.

Voiles, 50, who makes ends meet by selling woven ribbon crosses and fleur de lis, said he rescued the animal as an infant from the body of its mother, who had been killed in traffic. He bottle-fed the baby until it was able to eat on its own, and added it to his collection of pets last year.

According to New York Times reporting, Voiles’ said his animals offer him a measure of emotional solace during hard times. The animals, the NYT, said “gave him purpose when he struggled with drug addiction and bouts of unemployment.”

Why were Wildlife and Fisheries agents—who are more often called on to monitor hunting, fishing and the state’s other outdoorsy resources—patrolling the center of the city on a Saturday night in the first place?

According to a press release, “LDWF agents assisted LSP (Louisiana State Police) with making 76 arrests on illegal weapons and drug charges and helped LSP seize 57 illegal guns, two stolen motorcycles, and illegal drugs from the streets. Furthermore, LDWF agents worked with LSP in securing crime scenes, arresting a pickpocket thief, and breaking up numerous fights that occurred on Bourbon Street.”

And when they weren’t helping keep the peace, the 17 agents and two biologists were looking for wildlife illegally held by humans in the French Quarter streets. In the end, they “seized a 14.5-foot reticulated python, a 10-foot reticulated python, a 3-foot ball python, and an opossum.”

Wildlife and Fisheries department spokesperson Taylor Brazan declined to say why the animals were confiscated at the height of the Carnival season, except to say that it’s the duty of agents to “uphold the laws.”

Brazan said that under the direction of Gov. Jeff Landry, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents and Louisiana State Police officers had teamed up with the New Orleans Police Department, Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, and other agencies to bring “added safety and protection” to the city.

Brazan said couldn't discuss Saffron’s location or welfare, because it is a “pending legal matter.” She proposed that the newspaper submit a public records request for any further information.

Complicating matters may be the fact that last year, the LDWF attempted to confiscate a New Orleans’ area family’s rescued pet Nutria—another largely unloved rat-like creature—but quickly dropped the effort after an avalanche of press coverage, public outcry, and the intersession of politicians.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.