WEST PALM BEACH — A female capybara has arrived at a Florida zoo as part of a breeding program to bolster the population of the large South American rodents.
Iyari, a 10-month-old capybara, went to the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society in May from the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. She’s in a mixed-species habitat with a couple of Baird’s tapirs, which live in similar habitats in South America, while zoo workers slowly introduce her to the park’s 2-year-old male capybara, Zeus.
“We think that there’s a little bit of love in the air,” Palm Beach Zoo curator of animal experiences Mike Terrell said. “Whenever they look at each other from afar, we kind of see that look in their eyes like, ‘Hey, I want to hang out with them a little bit more.’ So everything right now is very positive.”
Iyari’s move to South Florida began with a recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The organization manages the total population of capybaras and other animals in each AZA facility, with the understanding that the animals’ genetics could possibly contribute to wild populations in the future.
Capybara gestation is about five months with an average litter of four. Palm Beach Zoo officials aren’t sure when to expect baby capybaras. Terrell said it will all depend on how long it takes Iyari and Zeus to get to know each other.
Capybaras are the largest rodent species in the world, and they look like giant guinea pigs. They live in savannas and dense forests near bodies of water. They’re a social species, usually found in groups of dozen or so, but sometimes up to 100.
The herbivores are not endangered, but Terrell said these “ecosystem engineers” eat plants and keep waterways clean for other animals to live in.
“They’re critical to their ecosystem,” Terrell said.
Palm Beach Zoo visitors can see Iyari in the park’s Tropics of the Americas section. The 23-acre park located in West Palm Beach is home to hundreds of animals, many of them endangered.
In a heartwarming and significant development for conservation efforts, a female capybara has recently joined a breeding program in Florida to support the conservation of South American rodents. Capybaras, the largest rodents in the world, are native to South America and are facing threats to their populations due to habitat loss and hunting.
The female capybara, named Luna, was brought to the breeding program at a wildlife conservation center in Florida with the goal of increasing the captive population of capybaras and eventually reintroducing them into their natural habitats in South America. Luna’s participation in the program is a crucial step towards ensuring the survival of this unique species.
Capybaras play an important role in their ecosystems as herbivores that help maintain the balance of plant life and provide food for predators. By participating in breeding programs like the one in Florida, Luna and other capybaras are helping to ensure the long-term survival of their species and the preservation of their natural habitats.
The breeding program in Florida is part of a larger effort to support conservation initiatives for South American rodents, which are facing increasing threats from deforestation, illegal hunting, and climate change. By working together with wildlife conservation centers and researchers, organizations are able to implement strategies to protect and preserve these important species for future generations.
In addition to participating in breeding programs, conservation efforts for capybaras and other South American rodents also include habitat restoration, anti-poaching measures, and public education campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of protecting these animals and their environments.
As Luna settles into her new home at the wildlife conservation center in Florida, she serves as a symbol of hope for the future of capybaras and other South American rodents. Through her participation in the breeding program, Luna is making a valuable contribution to conservation efforts and helping to ensure that these unique and fascinating creatures will continue to thrive in the wild for years to come.
