Marwell Zoo is currently in the midst of an urgent search for Samba, a runaway capybara who escaped from a temporary holding area. The young capybara, just 9 months old, was last seen approximately 2 miles from the zoo. Laura Read, a zoo representative, emphasized the importance of reuniting Samba with her sister, Tango, who was found nearby. “They do need to be back together. They are social animals and live in groups, so it’s really important we reunite them,” she stated.
In a positive turn of events, Marwell Zoo recently welcomed a baby white rhino, born on March 15, coinciding with Mother’s Day. The calf’s mother, Zahra, joined the zoo in 2021 and is the youngest of the zoo’s four white rhinos. The father, Jabari, arrived from Dublin in 2015. This birth is part of the European Ex Situ breeding programme, aimed at conserving endangered species.
In addition to the animal births, Marwell Zoo continues to attract visitors. Peggy Lill, a resident of Colten Care’s Avon Reach care home, visited the zoo and expressed her delight, particularly in seeing the meerkats. “The highlight of Peggy’s day was undoubtedly her visit to the meerkats,” said Ruth Wildman, a staff member. Peggy described her experience as “an absolutely wonderful day that I’ll always treasure,” after making a 72-mile round trip to the zoo.
As the search for Samba continues, zoo officials remain hopeful for a swift resolution. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact circumstances of her escape, but the community is rallying to assist in the search.