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Newly arrived capybaras await date with zoo visitors
Zoo authorities are planning to exhibit the two pairs of newly obtained capybaras—the largest species of rodent—at Pinnawala Zoo and Dehiwala Zoological Garden after a month in quarantine, Zoo Director-General Thilak Premakantha told the Sunday Times.
He said that as capybaras are considered one of the friendliest animals, they plan to keep one pair at the petting zoo area at the Pinnawala Zoo.
“Since the two pairs of animals we received are under an animal exchange programme, we would first attempt to acclimatise them and breed more animals.”
Mr Premakantha said capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) is the largest species of rodent closely related to guinea pigs. He added that they are also semi-aquatic and enjoy living around water.
He said capybaras are excellent swimmers and can hold their breath for up to 5 minutes underwater.
Capybaras are social creatures and live in groups of around 10 to 40. These animals are herbivores, and their diet consists of aquatic plants, grasses, and fruit.
The new guests at the Dehiwala Zoo: Capybaras, the world's largest rodent
The animals were received under an exchange programme with India’s Green Zoological Garden, which had arranged for them to be brought from a zoo in Slovakia.
The Dehiwala Zoo is yet to provide giant squirrels and some deer to the Indian zoo under this programme, Mr Premakantha said.
“We have quarantined both pairs of capybaras at the Dehiwala Zoo. They are housed in the otter enclosure with a pool.”
A separate enclosure is being built to house the otters, he said.
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