Mark Longo’s life changed in an instant, and not in the way he’d ever imagined. A single, overlooked almond in his pocket became a painful reminder of P’nut, his beloved squirrel, who had been his companion, his friend, and, unexpectedly, a viral internet sensation.
P’nut was no ordinary squirrel; he was practically family to Mark and his wife, Daniela, living on their sprawling 350-acre animal refuge, “P’nut’s Freedom Farm” near Elmira, New York. But the sanctuary was rocked by a sudden, heart-wrenching raid by New York State’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), leaving P’nut and his raccoon buddy, Fred, lost forever.
The raid targeted P’nut and Fred over concerns about potential rabies, though no public evidence has emerged to back these fears. The DEC claimed to be acting on complaints, particularly about the raccoon, and alleged that P’nut even bit an officer during the raid. In response, the DEC made the devastating decision to euthanize both animals. To date, neither the results of the rabies test nor any clarification has been provided by the DEC or New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s office, despite multiple requests from the family and media outlets.
The Longos, who poured their lives into creating P’nut’s Freedom Farm, are now left in deep mourning, finding small but heartbreaking reminders of P’nut throughout their home. For Mark, each forgotten almond he finds tucked in the nooks and crannies of his clothes is an emotional reminder of his lost friend. “P’nut put his almonds all over my house, all over my pants and my clothes,” he shared, reliving the bittersweet memory of his seven-year bond with the playful squirrel.
P’nut wasn’t just a squirrel; he was also a social media star with a loyal online following. The Longos had used this popularity not only to entertain but to fund their animal sanctuary, supported in part by their OnlyFans account, which helped them expand the refuge to house an eclectic mix of rescued animals—from ducks and alpacas to donkeys and pigs.
The couple maintains that they kept P’nut and Fred as indoor pets, despite state laws that restrict the ownership of wild animals, driven by a commitment to the animals’ safety and well-being.
Following P’nut’s passing, an outpouring of support from fans and followers has helped ease some of the Longos’ burdens, with a fundraiser now exceeding $158,000 in donations. Supporters, just as heartbroken, have rallied to honor P’nut’s memory and to help the sanctuary continue its work. For Mark, however, the loss is deeply personal.
“I don’t want his life to be known for this,” he said, hoping P’nut’s legacy will shine as a story of joy, love, and the impact of one small creature on so many lives. He is determined to keep P’nut’s memory alive and to ensure that P’nut’s Freedom Farm continues to be a safe haven for animals in need.
