CAJUN CRITTER PARDONING

Join us at Rougarou Fest for the annual Cajun Critter Pardon—a hilarious and heartwarming celebration where one lucky wetland animal is officially pardoned and named this year’s honorary Cajun Critter. 

Each year, we choose one lucky Louisiana animal—like a crawfish, alligator, or nutria—to be officially pardoned and crowned our honorary Cajun Critter. With an official “blessing” from the Rougarou Fest, this critter gets to skip the stew pot and live the good life bayou-style!

But it’s not just for laughs—this fun tradition shines a light on the critters of our wetlands. Native animals play a big role in keeping Louisiana’s ecosystems healthy, from helping control pests to balancing food webs. Invasive animals cause permanent damage to coastal marshes and other wetlands by feeding on native plants that hold wetland soil together.