Over the years, capybaras in Taiwan have periodically escaped from their enclosures, alerting animal control officials to get them safely back home as soon as possible. Two more capybaras have recently escaped, but it looks like this rescue mission may take a little longer than expected.
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Animal control services in Hsinchu have been busy trying to catch a pair of capybaras. After three hours, they finally managed to capture one of the capybaras underwater.
Some people first noticed the capybaras swimming around on Sunday, and were unsure how to identify what they thought looked like a hog-canine hybrid. They quickly reported it to the citizen hotline.
Local official Li Chao-en (李兆恩) says the capybaras’ owner was surprised the animals had been able to escape their enclosure. The female capybara has already been returned home, but the male is still on the loose.
Capybaras are the largest rodents in the world and authorities warn that while capybaras may seem cute and gentle, their behavior can be unpredictable during mating season or in unfamiliar territory. If you spot the missing capybara or other suspicious animal activity, keep your distance and call 1999 to alert authorities.