Capybaras are known to be friendly and curious creatures, and one particular capybara named Samba has captured the attention of the community after her recent escape from Marwell Zoo, located near Winchester, Hampshire. Samba, just nine months old, made her daring escape on Tuesday, a mere day after arriving at the zoo. Her sister, Tango, was quickly recovered, but Samba’s whereabouts have since become a mystery.
Witnesses reported spotting Samba diving into the River Itchen, where local resident Claudie Paddick filmed her sitting on the riverbank before leaping into the water. “I was taking the dogs along the river bank and noticed something that I thought was a beaver,” Paddick shared, highlighting the initial surprise of encountering the capybara in such an unexpected setting.
Since her escape, Samba has been seen almost three miles from the zoo, near a pub in Owslebury, and there have even been unconfirmed reports of her being spotted 35 miles away in Stonehenge. This has led to a community-wide effort to locate her, with Marwell Zoo deploying a specialist dog unit to track her scent and thermal drones to aid in the search.
The zoo has urged locals to check their gardens, ponds, and rivers for Samba, emphasizing the importance of her safe return. Laura Read, a spokesperson for the zoo, advised, “Please keep an eye out for her after sunset and be careful when driving.”
As the search continues, Marwell Zoo is also conducting a review into how Samba managed to escape, aiming to prevent similar incidents in the future. Claudie Paddick noted, “Marwell Zoo was really happy that it looked happy and not too stressed,” reflecting the community’s hope for Samba’s well-being.
Officials have requested that anyone who sees Samba should not approach her but instead contact the zoo’s 24-hour hotline. The warmth and concern from the local community underscore the bond that people feel towards these gentle giants, as they rally together to ensure Samba’s safe return home.
