Soon after the escape, a hole was discovered in the fencing surrounding the area. The fencing is under water, which prevented this flaw from being discovered earlier. Escapes at the Zoo are very rare and staff is currently working with the authorities to recover the animals safely. The Zoo has purchased heavy-duty marine grade fencing to replace the existing fencing. We are making every effort to recover the animals and make sure this does not happen in the future.
Capybaras resemble guinea pigs and their blunt head is perhaps their most notable characteristic.
They have no tail and their front legs are shorter than their back legs. Capybaras have slightly webbed toes, which make them good swimmers, and they are able to stay under water for up to 5 minutes. Capybaras are found from Panama through most of South America. Their habitat includes areas near water and open grasslands. They can also be found in some tropical rain forests.