Search Continues for Escaped Capybara Samba at Marwell Zoo

A nine-month-old capybara named Samba escaped from Marwell Zoo in Hampshire, England, on Tuesday, March 17, prompting an ongoing search now entering its fifth day. The animal, the world's largest rodent, slipped out of a temporary holding enclosure shortly after arriving from Jimmy's Farm and Wildlife Park in Ipswich the previous day, along with her companion Tango. While Tango was quickly recaptured from nearby bushes, Samba has eluded keepers despite reported sightings in the village of Owslebury, about two miles north of the zoo.

Marwell Zoo staff have mobilized round-the-clock teams to comb the area, focusing on water sources such as ponds, rivers, and gardens where capybaras, native to South America, are known to seek shelter. The semi-aquatic mammals, which can grow up to 1.7 meters long and weigh 80 kilograms, prefer quieter environments and are more active at night. A possible sighting of Samba occurred on Wednesday evening near The Ship Inn pub in Owslebury, leading searchers to concentrate efforts there. Zoo officials believe she remains close to the facility and have two drones ready for deployment once the search area narrows.

Laura Read, CEO of Marwell Zoo,...