London Zoo Unveils New Spa-Inspired Home for Capybara Duo
By Animals Correspondent
London Zoo’s adorable capybara pair have moved into a brand-new spa-inspired pad, complete with two pools, mud-bath wallows and climate-controlled zones – and have ventured outdoors for the first time since moving.
Gizmo and Kiwi were originally planned to enjoy a temporary city-break at the conservation zoo, but settled in so well, that a new permanent home was built especially for the brother-sister duo.
Kiwi, the female sibling, was the first to brave the chilly November air, and was first to trot outside and explore their new space.
Older brother Gizmo was less keen to leave their balmy indoor bathing pool, but couldn’t let his little sister have all the fun.
Together they inspected every corner of the new home, stopping only to soak in the morning sun.
The world’s largest rodents, capybaras are a semi-aquatic species, who love nothing more than a daily dip – and their new home features not one, but two pools for the pampered pair.
With partially-webbed feet, and eyes and nostrils perfectly located on top of their head like a snorkel, capybaras – whose scientific name Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris translates to ‘water pig’ - are adept swimmers, and visitors to London Zoo will be able to see Gizmo and Kiwi showing off their capy-paddle in their outdoor pool – which is naturally filtered by tasty bulrushes.
As well as a deep outside pool, their new abode features an indoor, heated, bathing pool to help keep their skin moisturised.
With a climate-controlled indoor zone to relax in, the capybaras can dry off after their daily swim by basking under UV lamps and enjoying the tranquil ambience of their new home.
Naturally inquisitive and friendly, London Zoo’s capybaras enjoy daily training sessions with their keepers, which helps their care team to perform basic health checks – for instance looking at their eyes and teeth.
Although London Zoo’s capybaras are being treated to a luxurious lifestyle, the same cannot be said for all capybaras.
A result of their ‘internet-fame’, a demand for capybara as pets is growing.
London Zoo’s new capybara habitat aims to ensure all visitors leave understanding why the giant rodents don’t make good pets – and it’s not only because they like to eat their own poo – and what they can do to discourage poor animal practises.
Visitors to the conservation zoo will be able to see the capybaras in their new home from Friday 21 November. Opening ahead of The Magic of Christmas events which turns London Zoo into a winter wonderland, the new capybara home is a must-visit in London.
To find out more and book tickets for London Zoo, visit www.londonzoo.org
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