March 23 (UPI) — A British zoo’s escaped capybara was caught on camera while relaxing on the shore of the River Itchen in the Winchester area.
The 9-month-old capybara, named Samba, escaped from a temporary holding pen at Winchester’s Marwell Zoo on Tuesday, just one day after arriving at the facility.
Claudie Paddick spotted Samba while she was walking with her dog on the shore of the River Itchen. She recorded a video showing the capybara jumping into the water and swimming away after being spooked by the dog.
Paddick reported the sighting to the Marwell Zoo, which is sending a team to search the area.
Capybaras, native to South America, are the world’s largest rodents.
“Capybaras are intelligent gentle animals, with a taste for adventure. They do not pose a risk to the public, however we strongly advise against approaching Samba or disturbing any area she may be hiding, to prevent causing her stress. Under no circumstances should a member of the public try to capture her by themselves,” zoo officials wrote on social media last week.