Capybara captured after a week on the run from zoo and 'living her best life'

A Capybara (hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) in Corrientes Province, Argentina
-Credit: (Image: No credit)


A capybara named Cinnamon, who had escaped from Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World in Telford, Shropshire, has been safely recaptured after nearly a week on the run.

The one year old rodent was discovered residing in a field adjacent to the zoo by a search team on Tuesday night, but it wasn't until Friday that she was finally apprehended by a group of "over a dozen experts" in a pond within the zoo's woodland conservation area, reports the Mirror.

A video posted on social media by the zoo shows the runaway rodent being lifted from the water in a metal cage. Cinnamon has since been reunited with her twin brother, Churro, in their enclosure and is readjusting to life in captivity.

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Expert keepers will continue to monitor her 24/7 to ensure a "seamless transition back to family life", according to the zoo. It was also announced that Cinnamon will not be on display to the public this weekend as she reacquaints herself with her usual environment.

Capybaras, which can grow up to 4.6ft long and 2ft high, are semi-aquatic and adapted for life in water. On Thursday, the zoo stated that attempts to capture Cinnamon had been halted to prevent her from becoming stressed.

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Will Dorrell, owner of Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World, expressed his delight at having Cinnamon back at the zoo, saying: "We're absolutely delighted to have Cinnamon back at the zoo. We've been astounded at the public reaction to Cinnamon's escape and are so grateful to everybody who has helped to return her safely to the zoo."

"Cinnamon will be spending some time with her brother in an off-show enclosure this weekend, but all being well we hope that Cinnamon will return to her usual paddock with the rest of her family next week."

Zookeepers at the facility worked into the night on Wednesday in an effort to recapture the elusive capybara, acknowledging the challenging conditions of the "extremely dense" and "almost impenetrable" undergrowth where she had taken up temporary residence.

Utilising a thermal drone, Cinnamon was discovered within five metres from her last known location on Tuesday night; fresh tracks and droppings were clear indicators of her presence.

"I know that there will be lots of people who will be very excited to see her, but nobody more so than her own mum and dad," stated Mr Dorrell, conveying his understanding of public anticipation for Cinnamon's return.

When queried about Cinnamon's wellbeing during her unplanned excursion, Mr Dorrell expressed that she is "probably living her best life" outside of captivity.

Describing the local habitat, he pointed out: "The area, unfortunately for us, where the zoo is, there's lots of watercourses, lots of food, all the things that capybaras love to eat and they love to swim."

Despite the adventurous capybara enjoying her freedom, Mr Dorrell emphasised: "They're relatively hardy animals, (we've got) absolutely no welfare concerns about her, she's going to be out there loving it, but we'd rather have her back so we can make sure she's ok."

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