By Basant El-Faramawy
A capybara that escaped from Marwell Zoo in Hampshire six months ago has been captured on wildlife cameras, offering hope for its safe return.
Escape and search
One-year-old Samba broke out of a temporary enclosure in March, less than a day after arriving at the park near Winchester, along with her sister Tango. Tango was quickly recaptured, but Samba evaded capture despite extensive efforts including thermal drones and ground searches for footprints and droppings.
Recent sighting
Grainy images from camera traps emerged in August, confirming Samba’s presence in a specific area. Zoo officials say they know her location but cannot simply approach her, as stress could cause her to flee and complicate recovery.
Recovery strategy
Staff have established a feeding area to encourage Samba to return regularly, aiming to gradually habituate her for safe capture. Because she is on private land, the exact location remains confidential to avoid disturbance.
Background
In July, a male capybara named Ripple was introduced alongside Tango. Capybaras, the world’s largest rodents, can weigh up to 80kg and are native to South America.
