Villagers in Hampshire have been warned not to approach an escaped capybara after the large rodent was spotted resting near a riverbank. The sighting occurred on Tuesday morning along the River Itchen near Winchester, marking a significant development in the ongoing search for the missing animal.
Search Intensifies with Specialist Teams
The search for the nine-month-old capybara, named Samba, has now entered its sixth day after she escaped from Marwell Zoo on March 17th. Specialist sniffer dogs have been deployed throughout the area, with thermal drones now being utilized in a concentrated effort to locate the elusive creature.
Latest Sighting and Immediate Response
Claudie Paddick reported seeing Samba at approximately 11:30am on Tuesday, observing the capybara basking in the sunshine by the riverside. Unfortunately, her dog startled the animal, causing Samba to jump into the water and swim away before zoo teams could arrive.
"This has led us to a reduced search area, not far from where she was originally sighted," explained a Marwell Zoo spokesperson. "We have been unsuccessful in finding her so far, but as the dogs have picked up her scent on both days, we are keeping everything crossed we can pinpoint her location as soon as possible."
Public Safety Warnings Issued
Zoo officials have issued specific guidance to local residents regarding the escaped capybara. While asking people to remain vigilant and report any sightings, they emphasize that only trained professionals should approach the animal.
"Please don't approach Samba or disturb the area around her as she may get stressed," the zoo spokesperson stressed. "It's very important that only her keepers and the team from Marwell approach her."
Capybara Characteristics and Behavior
Capybaras are the world's largest rodents, native to South America, with adults weighing up to 80kg and measuring up to 1.7 metres in length. These semi-aquatic mammals are particularly drawn to water environments, which explains why Samba has been frequenting river areas.
Laura Read, CEO of Marwell Zoo, provided additional context about capybara behavior: "Capybaras love water so please check gardens, ponds, rivers and local water environments where she may be hiding. She is also more likely to travel at night so please keep an eye out for her after sunset and be careful when driving."
Search Area Narrowed Down
The search perimeter has been significantly reduced from earlier reports that placed possible sightings as far away as Stonehenge, approximately 35 miles from the zoo. The current focus remains on areas surrounding the River Itchen where Samba was most recently observed.
The Marwell team continues searching on foot in locations identified by the sniffer dogs. "We remain determined to do everything we can to bring Samba home safely," the spokesperson added, expressing gratitude to everyone assisting in the search efforts.
Background and Zoo Response
Samba arrived in Hampshire just before her escape, having been transferred from Jimmy's Farm and Wildlife Park in Ipswich alongside another capybara named Tango. Notably, Tango was recovered shortly after the escape, having remained hidden in bushes within the zoo grounds.
Marwell Zoo has launched an internal review to understand how the escape occurred and prevent similar incidents in the future. They have established a dedicated 24-hour hotline (07436 167401) for sighting reports, requesting that callers provide photographic evidence along with precise location information using either Google Maps pins or What3Words coordinates.
The zoo has specifically requested that people from outside the immediate area refrain from traveling to search for Samba, emphasizing that local residents are best positioned to assist while minimizing disruption to the search operation.
