Latest news with #capybara
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Two of the biggest rodent on Earth go on holiday to London Zoo
Meet Kiwi and Gizmo, a pair of capybaras - which are the biggest rodents on have just arrived at London Zoo for a holiday in the city!The adorable duo be staying at London Zoo temporarily whilst a new habitat is being prepared for them at Whipsnade Zoo, in visitors will have to be quick if they want to spot the pair in their new holiday pad. Capybaras are found natively throughout northern and central South America. They are semi-aquatic mammals, meaning they are well adapted to spend lots of time in water - they have partially webbed feet and their eyes, noses and ears are located high on their heads so that they remain above water while can therefore expect to spot Gizmo and Kiwi having fun in the sun both on land and in the Jessica Lawrence said: "Gizmo and Kiwi are a really charismatic pair, and we're really enjoying getting to know them and their preferences and quirks."We can't wait to see the joy on people's faces when they meet Gizmo and Kiwi this May half term – we expect they'll spend a lot of time splashing around outside.' Capybara facts: Capybaras are the world's largest are closely related to guinea other rodents, capybara's teeth grow continuously, and they have to wear them down by grazing on aquatic plants and also have a less nice habit - they eat their own poop. The grasses in their natural diet can be hard to break down, so by eating their own poop, they have a second chance of digesting they don't mind being alone, capybaras also live in groups of up to 40.
The Independent
23-05-2025
- The Independent
Police seize five capybaras and crack cocaine after car chase
Costa Rican police seized five capybaras, crack cocaine and marijuana after chasing down a fleeing vehicle on a highway along the Central American country's Pacific coast on Thursday. The large rodents are a semi-aquatic South American relative of the guinea pig and happen to be having a moment on social platforms. But they are not native to Costa Rica, and the Public Security Ministry said Thursday that possessing, transporting or trafficking them is illegal. The agency said it had never recorded another seizure of the animals. Two men in the vehicle, who both had criminal records, were arrested. "The police action was important and shows the concurrence where the drug world coincides with the introduction of non-native species," Security Minister Mario Zamora said. The capybaras were turned over to the National System of Conservation Areas to be evaluated by veterinarians. As a non-native species they can't be released in Costa Rica so they will be taken to a refuge for environmental and conservation education programs. Earlier this year Peruvian police arrested a suspected drug dealer by disguising himself as a cuddly capybara. A day before Valentine's Day, an officer disguised himself as a stuffed capybara and descended on a street in the capital, accompanied by two policewomen carrying "gifts." In Peru, it is common for people to dress as teddy bears and other characters to deliver gifts on special dates. Police said the operation lured the suspect out of his house, where he was quickly apprehended. Col. Pedro Rojas, Chief of the 'Green Squadron' division of Peru's Police, which carried out the operation, said officers later searched the house and found a "large quantity" of cocaine as well as marijuana. This operation was not the first in which officers from the squadron disguised themselves to arrest suspected drug dealers.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Costa Rica police seize 5 capybaras, crack cocaine and marijuana from fleeing vehicle
Costa Rican police seized five capybaras, crack cocaine and marijuana after chasing down a fleeing vehicle on a highway along the Central American country's Pacific coast on Thursday. The large rodents, not native to Costa Rica, are a semi-aquatic South American relative of the guinea pig and happen to be having a moment on social platforms and possessing, transporting or trafficking them is illegal.
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
London Zoo becomes summer home for pair of giant rodents
London Zoo will be the temporary home for a pair of giant rodents while their permanent home is prepared for Gizmo and Kiwi will spend summer in the city until their move to Whipsnade Zoo, Bedfordshire, which is London Zoo's sister can meet the duo as part of the Feeding Time at the Zoo event over half Jessica Lawrance said: "Gizmo and Kiwi are a really charismatic pair, and we're really enjoying getting to know them and their preferences and quirks." Healthy appetites Capybaras ( Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) are found throughout northern and central South America and are closely related to guinea are known for their healthy appetites - they eat plants and grasses - however they have a habit of eating their own poo as the grasses they eat can be hard to break down. Strong swimmers Gizmo and Kiwi will live next to Amara - a pygmy hippo transferred from Edinburgh as part of the zoo's conservation breeding programme for endangered species. Jessica expects the rodents will spend a lot of time splashing around outside."We can't wait to see the joy on people's faces when they meet Gizmo and Kiwi," she added.
National Post
23-05-2025
- National Post
Costa Rica police seize 5 capybaras and drugs from fleeing vehicle
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica — Costa Rican police seized five capybaras, crack cocaine and marijuana after chasing down a fleeing vehicle on a highway along the Central American country's Pacific coast on Thursday. Article content Article content The large rodents are a semi-aquatic South American relative of the guinea pig and happen to be having a moment on social platforms. But they are not native to Costa Rica, and the Public Security Ministry said Thursday that possessing, transporting or trafficking them is illegal. The agency said it had never recorded another seizure of the animals. Article content Two men in the vehicle, who both had criminal records, were arrested. Article content Article content 'The police action was important and shows the concurrence where the drug world coincides with the introduction of non-native species,' Security Minister Mario Zamora said. Article content
