23/05/2016

Belfast Zoo Welcomes Four Baby Capybaras

Belfast Zoo has welcomed four baby capybaras.

Capybaras Charlie and Lola became parents to the four pups on 10 May.

Capybaras are the largest rodent species in the world.

They are found in South America and are semi-aquatic mammals.

Zoo curator, Alyn Cairns, said: "Our capybaras live with some other South American 'amigos', including giant anteaters and Darwin's rhea. We have said 'hola' to quite a few new arrivals in this enclosure recently including a baby giant anteater, Darwin's rhea chicks and now four capybara babies. We couldn't be more delighted. While the capybara is not currently classified as an endangered species, it is hunted and poached for its meat and skin. It is important that zoos, such as Belfast Zoo, help to raise awareness of this species and the increasing dangers which they face in their natural habitat."

(CD)

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