WGNO

Saffron the opossum confiscated for fleas, tapeworms

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has released the report as to what happened the night that “Saffron” the opossum was confiscated from his owner William Voiles in the French Quarter.

According to a report sent to WGNO after a Public Records Request was made, around 10:56 p.m. on Feb. 10, Louisiana Wildlife Enforcement Agents were working detail for Mardi Gras, and noticed a man next to a bicycle near 701 St. Peter St. with a small crowd around him.

As agents got closer, they saw a basket with a live opossum in the basket.

The incident report states that a small crowd of people were taking photos. Agents asked Voiles, if he had a permit. That’s when Voiles told them he nursed the opossum back to health when it was a baby. He told agents he didn’t know anything about a permit.

According to agents, they noticed a Facebook, Instagram and Venmo advertisement, as well as a tip jar.

Agents said they told Voiles that he could not possess the opossum without applying for a permit through Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Then, on Feb. 22, Wildlife Disease Biologist Nikki Anderson with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries gave “Saffron” a checkup and evaluation.

According to the evaluation report, it states, “Animal dressed in soiled clothing in inappropriate for ambient temperatures, animal unclean, underweight, missing pelage in multiple locations, fleas present, tapeworm segments in fecal material. Animal does not exhibit flight or fight response, indicative of long-term exposure to multiple human beings. With appropriate rehabilitation, the animal can likely be released to the wild.”

Anderson also reports that the opossum is underweight by two pounds, fatty tail indicative of poor nutrition, nose pale, fleas and tapeworm present, missing hair, unclean, animal required bath, flea medication, and intestinal parasite dewormer.

As a whole, Anderson gave Saffron a body condition score of 2.5 on a scale from one through five.

The report also stated that the animal initially would not accept standard opossum diet, animal would only consume canned cat food and not an appropriate diet for an opossum.

Wildlife and Fisheries agents say “Saffron” is now responding to diet change, and is clean, has no for fleas or internal parasites.

There was community outrage when “Saffron” was confiscated, and there was a petition to “Save Saffron.”

Local artists even got involved to try to get people to sign the petition.

A few weeks ago, Voiles said he was working with the Louisiana Humane Society to get a permit to eventually get his opossum.

As of now, LDFW is not saying whether or not Voiles will be able to get his opossum back.

In previous interviews, Voiles told WGNO, “When I got him, I wasn’t trying to break the law. I was trying to save a life because his mother was just hit by a car, and he was no bigger than my thumb.”

Voiles went on to say, “I have been taking care of him. He’s healthy. I don’t see why it’s against the law to do a humane thing for an animal.”

Still, for Voiles, Saffron’s more than a pet, he’s family.

“I just miss his companionship. I miss him rubbing his head on my neck. It feels like he got kidnapped from me,” Voiles said.

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