Six days after her escape the capybara is still to be recaptured
A beloved capybara named Cinnamon, escaped from Hoo Zoo in Telford when the gates to her enclosure were left open for grass cutting. After making her escape through the zoo’s perimeter, she was spotted on a nearby road.
Thanks to the persistent efforts of the zoo staff and local volunteers, including a thermal drone operator, Cinnamon was located in a field and small woodland area adjacent to the zoo, just under 200 meters from her enclosure.
“Despite attempts to recapture her last night, she hid in a dense thicket. We decided to set live traps rather than risk further stressing her by trying to catch her by hand, which could push her further away,” a Hoo Zoo spokesperson explained.
Live traps, which are cages with automatic doors, are designed to capture animals without causing harm. Cinnamon will walk into the trap to get food, and the door will close behind her, ensuring a safe capture without stress.
The search for Cinnamon has attracted significant public interest. Although Hoo Zoo appreciates the support, they stress that capturing the capybara is a task best left to professionals.
“Cinnamon is quite shy, and any untrained attempt to capture her could cause her to flee even farther from home, which we want to avoid,” the zoo representative added.
Cinnamon’s keepers are eagerly awaiting her safe return and are continuing to care for her family—her parents and brother—who remain at the zoo.
What is a Capybara?
Capybaras are the largest rodents in the world, closely related to guinea pigs and rock cavies. Native to South America, these semi-aquatic animals are equipped with webbed feet and have a taste for grass and bark. Interestingly, they also eat their own feces to better digest the tough grass in their diet.