Zoo officials in China successfully captured a runaway capybara, following a two-month elusive escapade.
Rogue Capybara's Return to Zoo after Two-Month Rampage
The last member of a capybara gang that went AWOL from a zoo in China over two months ago has finally been recaptured. This runaway rodent, affectionately known as Doubao or "Bean Bun," was the last of three capybaras that made a daring escape in early April.
After weeks of eluding the zoo officials, Doubao was eventually lured into a humane trap during the wee hours of Tuesday morning. Zoo staff then returned the exhausted but well-fed Doubao to its enclosure. Despite its two-month adventure, Doubao seemed none the worse for wear, with a glossy, well-groomed fur coat and extra pounds on its frame.
"Our stray capybara has made it back home!" the zoo announced joyfully on its social media platforms.
Capybaras, which are about the size of a six-year-old child, have become quite the global sensation in recent years, with their semiaquatic, laid-back demeanor captivating the hearts of people worldwide.
The trio's great escape transpired when another capybara, Bazong or "Big Shot," managed to break through a cage barrier. Bazong was later found lounging by a nearby lake, and Duoduo or "Hide Hide" was captured after being found in a nearby rubbish bin.
The zoo actively sought assistance in apprehending Doubao, even going so far as to offer rewards to the public. The incentives included frozen fried rice, a carton of eggs, capybara-themed merchandise, and lifetime entry to the zoo for information leading to Doubao's capture[4][5]. In addition, zoo representatives made numerous public pleas for Doubao's return via livestreamed videos[5].
Although Doubao demonstrated a knack for swimming and staying near waterways, the ingenious use of a well-baited trap eventually led to its successful capture[5].
Takeaways:Throughout its two-month escapade, Doubao remained at large while the other two capybaras were recaptured shortly after their escape. Zoo officials took an active role in apprehending Doubao, offering rewards for information leading to its capture. Ultimately, the capybara's swimming skills and proximity to waterways posed challenges, but the clever use of a trap enabled Doubao's capture[3][4].
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The zoo shared joyful news on its social media platforms, announcing, "Our stray capybara has made it back home!" Given the global popularity of capybaras, this news could be a hot topic for entertainment and animal-themed news outlets.
As Doubao, the last rogue capybara, was successfully recaptured, the zoo staff expressed relief and excitement. In addition to returning Doubao to its enclosure, they also promised fun experiences for visitors, such as lifetimes entries to the zoo and capybara-themed merchandise as rewards for helping to catch Doubao. This might also make for interesting news in the entertainment and animal news sectors.
