Search for Escaped Capybara Samba Narrows in Hampshire

Teams searching for an escaped capybara named Samba are narrowing their efforts using humane traps, thermal drones, and camera traps in Hampshire. The nine-month-old rodent has been missing for nearly two weeks after escaping from Marwell Zoo near Winchester just one day after arriving from Suffolk with another capybara called Tango.

The last confirmed sighting was in Twyford, where locals reported seeing the animal near a riverbank. Residents have been checking gardens, ponds, and waterways for signs of Samba. According to BBC, zoo officials believe Samba is likely still nearby but may be hiding by a water body.

A dog walker who spotted Samba on a riverbank says it will be a challenge to catch the runaway after watching the large rodent's swift plunge into the water. Claudie Paddick accidentally spooked the capybara with her dog, Growler, while walking along the River Itchen near Winchester. 'I thought it was a deer – you don't casually see a capybara on your walks,' she said.

Teams from the zoo are scouring the area using thermal drones and setting up camera traps but have faced several false alarms after picking up muntjac deer with the drones as they are about the same size as Samba. Laura Read, chief executive officer of Marwell Wildlife, described Samba as 'the size of a small to medium dog - not as big as a spaniel, light brown but she is not fully grown – as she is only nine months old'.

The zoo has urged people in the area to keep their dogs on leads to avoid scaring Samba. Anyone who believes they have seen her is asked to contact the zoo immediately and send a photo or video with details of the location so they can confirm the sighting.