- Have you seen the capybara? Email patrick.harrington@dailymail.co.uk
A capybara is on the loose after escaping from a zoo, and staff are calling for the public’s help tracking it down.
The rodent, called Samba, bust out of her temporary enclosure just a day after arriving at Marwell Zoo near Winchester, Hampshire.
Samba’s cage mate – Tango – joined her in the escape on Tuesday, but was quickly recovered from some bushes not far from the zoo.
Growing up to 80kg in weight and lengths of 1.7 metres in size, Capybaras are the world’s largest rodent. They hail from South America, and have never been native to the UK.
Two days on from the daring St Patrick’s Day escape, nine-month-old Samba is still at large.
A possible sighting of her was reported near a pub in the neighbouring village of Owslebury, but beyond that the trail is sparse.
Locals have been urged to contact the zoo if they catch sight of the rodent on the run, so she can be safely returned home.
Laura Read, CEO of Marwell Zoo said: ‘Tango didn’t stray too far, hiding in bushes in the zoo, and is now safely returned.
Samba and Tango, two capybaras, escaped from their temporary enclosure, though the latter was found shortly afterwards
The two large rodents made a break for it just a day after arriving at Marwell Zoo in Hampshire (pictured)
‘Samba was more adventurous, and our specialist teams have been looking for her relentlessly since then.
‘Capybaras love water so please check gardens, ponds, rivers and local water environments where she may be hiding. She is also more likely to travel at night so please keep an eye out for her after sunset and be careful when driving.
‘Although we’re asking locals for help looking out for Samba, we would urge people from outside the area not to travel in to search for her.
‘Please don’t approach Samba or disturb the area around her as she may get stressed. It’s very important that only her keepers and the team from Marwell approach her.
‘Although we’re asking locals for help looking out for Samba, we would urge people from outside the area not to travel in to search for her.’
Samba arrived in Hampshire earlier this week after journeying from Jimmy’s Farm and Wildlife Park in Ipswich alongside Tango.
The zoo has asked residents in surrounding areas to check gardens, ponds, and rivers, as these are places where Samba may be hiding.
Marwell Zoo added: ‘A member of the public from Owslebury, just over a mile from Marwell, reported seeing Samba last night on the side of the road near The Ship Inn pub, so we have been focusing on that area for our search.
‘Capybaras are lovely, intelligent animals, with a taste for adventure. They are gentle and do not pose any risk to people, pets or wildlife.’
Anyone who believes they have seen Samba is asked to contact the zoo on a dedicated 24-hour hotline at 07436 167401.
Callers are asked to send a photo and either a Google Maps pin or What3Words location to assist the search team.