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Nine-month-old capybara Samba has remained at large since escaping a temporary enclosure at Marwell Zoo in the UK. Zoo staff have investigated more than 150 reported sightings and used ground searches, camera traps and thermal drones, but have not yet found her. Meanwhile, a new companion has been introduced for Tango, the capybara who remained at the zoo after Samba's escape.
It's been six months since Samba the capybara escaped her temporary enclosure at a popular UK zoo. Zoo staff have been searching for the capybara for six months, responding to over 150 sightings.
Samba the capybara has been on the run for six months after escaping a temporary enclosure at Marwell Zoo in the UK. The pair were transferred from Jimmy's Farm and Wildlife Park in Suffolk. Samba and Tango underwent "routine health checks" while their enclosure was being prepared, Marwell Zoo said in a statement. Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you.
Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox. Staff "quickly retrieved" Tango on zoo grounds. But nine-month-old Samba was "more adventurous" and has now been missing for six months. On 22 March, a dog walker spotted Samba lying in the sun on the banks of the River Itchen in the Colden Common area.
Startled by the dog walker, Samba scurried down the banks and jumped into the river, making her escape by water. Search efforts increased around the river, but the capybara's excellent camouflage secured her freedom. Camera traps were placed in various locations where Samba had been spotted, including Twyford, North Twyford, Highbridge and Bambridge Gardens. Rescue teams also conducted daily ground searches and thermal drone imaging searches — teams responded to 150 potential sightings.
Ripple, a seven-year-old male capybara, has been introduced to Marwell Zoo as a companion animal for Tango, who was experiencing isolation stress. Source: Getty / Mark MetcalfeSeven-year-old male Ripple was transferred from Blackpool Zoo and gradually introduced to the enclosure with Tango.
"His move is first and foremost about ensuring Tango's continued welfare by providing her with appropriate companionship," Marwell Zoo said. The introduction of the new capybara raised concerns for Samba's future, but the zoo ensured she was not being replaced.
"Our efforts to find Samba continue, and her welfare remains a priority for the team. "Marwell Zoo said its team was "acting on a very promising lead" from photographic evidence of the now year-old capybara. Native to South America, capybaras are the world's largest living rodent. They belong to the Caviidae family and are close relatives of the guinea pig and rock cavy.
Capybaras are semiaquatic herbivores, meaning they can live across savannas and dense forests and near and in freshwater. They spend most of their time grazing or swimming and are highly social animals, preferring to live in large, close-knit groups of 10 to 40. Usually a slow and calm rodent, capybaras can have bursts of energy. They can reach speeds of 35km/hour when startled or threatened.
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