At one point, Louisiana cops were encouraged to use nutria for target practice. They were raised on fur ranches until a hurricane blew the pens open, and they've thrived unchecked in the bayoux and started invading the cities. As if they weren't creepy enough otherwise, they have bright orange teeth. Orange. I am not making this up.
In another bid to reduce the supply by increasing the demand, New Orleans chefs were encouraged to create nutria dishes a few years ago. I think both Paul Prudhomme and Emeril Legasse made contributions to the effort. Apparently, it only caught on among -- big surprise -- the French.
In a sort of related note, the Catholic Church in some parts of South American has officially declared the Capybara, the world's largest rodent, to be a fish. They live along and in rivers and look like miniature hippos more than anything. Declaring them a fish was important because it allows devout Catholics to enjoy Capybara meat, a favorite local delicacy, during Lent.