Hi! I'm A Nutria (That Pesky Rodent With Orange Teeth)

Olympia has developed a pesky problem. The Olympian reports that several dozen nutria are infesting Capitol Lake.

Wildlife agents from the U.S. Department of Agriculture killed four of the beaver-sized rodents that had become a nuisance, and several more killings will be scheduled.

Nutria are considered an invasive species that destroy marshlands. But what brought them to Washington State in the first place?

Seattle-based animator Drew Christie introduces us to a nutria who calls Lake Washington home. He explains how his ancestors arrived here, and why he believes nutria should be left alone in this animated essay originally published for The New York Times in 2012.