Farewell to Peanut: The Beloved Social Media Squirrel’s Story Comes to a Heartbreaking End

Peanut the Squirrel, a popular social media star with over half a million followers on Instagram, was recently euthanized after being seized from his home in Pine City, New York. Peanut’s journey, marked by both hardship and joy, captured the hearts of thousands online who followed the everyday life of this spirited squirrel through the posts of his caretaker, Mark Longo. However, recent events turned this joyful story into one of heartbreak for Longo and Peanut's followers.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Chemung County Department of Health announced that Peanut, along with a raccoon also confiscated from the same property, was euthanized to test for rabies. The seizure happened after a person reportedly involved in the investigation was bitten by Peanut, prompting officials to act in line with public health guidelines for handling potential rabies exposure.

Longo, who first took Peanut in as an orphaned baby squirrel, shared his distress and frustration on social media, describing the seizure as a "terrible nightmare." He recounted how Peanut’s mother was hit by a car, leaving the baby squirrel alone and vulnerable. After trying to find a shelter to take him in, Longo ended up caring for Peanut himself, raising him for eight months before trying to release him back into the wild. When Peanut returned to Longo’s porch a day and a half later, injured and missing part of his tail, Longo felt he couldn’t turn him away. From that point on, Peanut became a permanent part of Longo’s life.

Over the years, Peanut became a beloved fixture on Instagram, with fans enjoying clips of him performing tricks, munching on snacks, and engaging in adorable interactions with Longo and his cat, Chloe. With more than 1,400 posts, Peanut’s account became a warm and entertaining place for animal lovers around the world, growing a fanbase who felt a deep connection to the charismatic squirrel.

In light of the recent events, Peanut’s followers and animal rights supporters created a Change.org petition and a GoFundMe campaign in an effort to bring him back to Longo’s care. By Friday afternoon, the petition had gathered over 28,000 signatures, while the GoFundMe campaign raised nearly $8,000. Longo shared his appreciation for the outpouring of support, but despite these efforts, Peanut was euthanized.

This situation has drawn attention to laws around keeping wild animals as pets in New York. The New York Department of Environmental Conservation strictly prohibits the possession of wild animals, like squirrels, as pets. The department’s policy highlights that wild animals kept as pets often develop unusual attachments to humans, leading to complications when they are released, as they may return to human-populated areas where they face risks from traffic or domestic animals. For those who encounter orphaned or injured wildlife, the DEC advises contacting licensed wildlife rehabilitators, who are legally equipped to care for and release such animals back into their natural habitats.

In addition to caring for Peanut, Longo has shown a deep commitment to animal welfare through his establishment of P’Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary. Located in Pine City, this nonprofit sanctuary provides a safe haven for neglected and homeless animals, giving them a chance to live out their lives in peace. The sanctuary is home to a variety of animals, including horses, cows, alpacas, and a pig, offering an alternative for animals who may not otherwise have a place to go.

The death of Peanut the Squirrel has left an emotional void for Longo, Peanut’s fans, and the animal welfare community. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges and responsibilities that come with caring for wild animals and the legal restrictions meant to protect both animals and people. Peanut’s story, however, continues to live on through the memories Longo shared, capturing the unique bond they shared and the happiness Peanut brought to those who followed his adventures online.

While Peanut’s journey has come to a tragic end, his legacy as an adored pet and social media star serves as an example of how connections with animals can leave a lasting impact. For those who love animals, Peanut’s story is both a reminder of the joy they bring and the importance of ensuring their safety, even when it means letting them return to the wild.