Latest news with #zoo
CNA
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- CNA
Return of Doubao: Chinese netizens rejoice at return of fugitive capybara
SINGAPORE: The search is finally over for a fugitive capybara that escaped from a Chinese zoo with its siblings back in April. Doubao, whose name means 'bean bag' in Chinese, had been recaptured in the Yangzhou Zhuyuwan Scenic Area in eastern China on Tuesday (Jun 3), zoo officials said in a social media post, adding that their 'runaway child had returned home'. The capybara had walked into a humane trap set which triggered a catch mechanism which shut the door behind her, officials said, adding that traps had been placed in surrounding rivers. She is now reunited with her siblings Bazong and Duoduo, staff added. Unlike her sibling Duoduo who had lost nearly two kilograms while on the run, Doubao had gained 'nearly half a kilo' and her fur remained smooth and shiny, in great condition, officials said. The trio's escape in April caused a stir online in China, with social media users expressing alarm and concern. There was also criticism over the zoo's 'stingy' initial reward for finding Doubao: a lifetime entry ticket and capybara-themed merchandise. Native to South America, capybaras are the world's largest rodents and are also semi-aquatic. Their calm demeanor and charming appearances have made them wildly popular online. They are often depicted in memes and posts on social media apps like TikTok, Xiaohongshu and Instagram. Online, Doubao fans rejoiced at news of her return. 'I'm glad to see her safe and well,' wrote one user on the Sina Weibo microblogging site. 'It sure seems like you had a good time in the wild,' said another. Others expressed amusement, saying Doubao had enjoyed a surprisingly good quality of life 'wandering the streets and mixing around outside'. News of her recapture this week has become one of Weibo's top trends. A topic thread titled 'Doubao wandered the streets, she became fatter by more than half a kilo' is currently the eighth most popular search on Weibo, garnering more than 26.5 million views and over 3,000 comments. 'That's amazing, Doubao is finally home,' said another user.
Al Arabiya
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Al Arabiya
Fugitive capybara caught by China zoo after two months on the run
Officials have captured the last member of a runaway capybara gang that escaped from a zoo in eastern China two months ago, a statement said Tuesday. The missing female rodent, named 'Doubao' -- 'Bean Bun' in Chinese -- absconded from an enclosure at the Yangzhou Zhuyuwan Scenic Area along with two other capybaras in early April. Doubao remained at large for weeks after her companions were caught by zoo officials. 'The runaway child has returned home!' the zoo wrote in a social media post. The capybara walked into a humane trap early Tuesday morning and was returned to her enclosure by zoo staff. Despite spending two months on the run, Doubao gained weight and her fur was still 'smooth and glossy,' the zoo said. 'It looks like she was doing well out there!' it added. A video published by the zoo showed Doubao sniffing around a cage and pawing at its sides while a person can be heard saying 'welcome home Doubao.' Capybaras are native to South America but in recent years have become popular attractions at zoos worldwide, with the semi-aquatic rodents becoming unlikely darlings of the internet. The zoo said the trio made their April breakout when another capybara Bazong -- 'Big Shot' -- broke through a fence. Bazong was later found relaxing in a lake. It took seven or eight zoo staff to trap the second accomplice, Duoduo or 'Hide Hide,' in a rubbish bin. But Doubao eluded capture, with the zoo in May issuing a mock wanted poster accusing her of engaging in a mass jailbreak. Officials at one point offered a reward of frozen fried rice, a carton of eggs, capybara-themed merchandise and lifetime entry to the zoo to anyone with information about her whereabouts.
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
‘The runaway child has returned': China's capybara fugitive Doubao finally caught after two-month zoo escape
SHANGHAI, June 4 — Officials have captured the last member of a runaway capybara gang that escaped from a zoo in eastern China two months ago, a statement said Tuesday. The missing female rodent, named 'Doubao' — 'Bean Bun' in Chinese — absconded from an enclosure at the Yangzhou Zhuyuwan Scenic Area along with two other capybaras in early April. Doubao remained at large for weeks after her companions were caught by zoo officials. 'The runaway child has returned home!' the zoo wrote in a social media post. The capybara walked into a humane trap early Tuesday morning and was returned to her enclosure by zoo staff. Despite spending two months on the run, Doubao gained weight and her fur was still 'smooth and glossy', the zoo said. 'It looks like she was doing well out there!' it added. A video published by the zoo showed Doubao sniffing around a cage and pawing at its sides while a person can be heard saying 'welcome home Doubao'. Capybaras are native to South America but in recent years have become popular attractions at zoos worldwide, with the semi-aquatic rodents becoming unlikely darlings of the internet. The zoo said the trio made their April breakout when another capybara Bazong — 'Big Shot' — broke through a fence. Bazong was later found relaxing in a lake. It took seven or eight zoo staff to trap the second accomplice, Duoduo or 'Hide Hide', in a rubbish bin. But Doubao eluded capture, with the zoo in May issuing a mock wanted poster accusing her of engaging in a mass jailbreak. Officials at one point offered a reward of frozen fried rice, a carton of eggs, capybara-themed merchandise and lifetime entry to the zoo to anyone with information about her whereabouts. A zoo representative also repeatedly pleaded for Doubao's return on livestreamed videos, Tuesday's statement said. — AFP
Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Free Malaysia Today
Fugitive capybara caught by Chinese zoo after 2 months on the run
Capybaras have become popular attractions at zoos worldwide in recent years. (EPA Images pic) SHANGHAI : Officials have captured the last member of a runaway capybara gang that escaped from a zoo in eastern China two months ago, a statement said today. The missing male rodent, named 'Doubao' – 'Bean Bun' in Chinese – absconded from an enclosure at the Yangzhou Zhuyuwan Scenic Area along with two other capybaras in early April. Doubao remained at large for weeks after his companions were caught by zoo officials. 'The runaway child has returned home!' the zoo wrote in a social media post. The capybara – a rodent the size of a six-year-old child – walked into a humane trap early this morning and was returned to his enclosure by zoo staff. Despite spending two months on the run, Doubao gained weight and his fur was still 'smooth and glossy', the zoo said. 'It looks like he was doing well out there!' it added. Capybaras are native to South America but in recent years have become popular attractions at zoos worldwide, with the semi-aquatic rodents becoming unlikely darlings of the internet. The zoo said the trio made their April breakout when another capybara Bazong – 'Big Shot' – broke through a fence. Bazong was later found relaxing in a lake. It took seven or eight zoo staff to trap the second accomplice, Duoduo or 'Hide Hide', in a rubbish bin. But Doubao eluded capture, with the zoo in May issuing a mock wanted poster accusing him of engaging in a mass jailbreak. Officials at one point offered a reward of frozen fried rice, a carton of eggs, capybara-themed merchandise and lifetime entry to the zoo to anyone with information about his whereabouts. A zoo representative also repeatedly pleaded for Doubao's return on live streamed videos, today's statement said.
NHK
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- NHK
Twin polar bear cubs make debut at Sendai zoo
A zoo in Japan introduced twin polar bear cubs to the public on Monday. About 200 people waited in line outside Yagiyama Zoological Park in the city of Sendai before it opened. Visitors cheered as they watched the animals playing with each other and cozying up to their mother. The male and female cubs, which were born at the park in December, are currently estimated to weigh 30 kilograms. Officials expect the female cub to reach about 350 kilograms in four years, and the male to be around 500 kilograms. A visitor from Tokyo carrying stuffed toy polar bears said they are so small and adorable. Another visitor said he was so eager to see them he came to the zoo on the first day they are shown to the public. The park is set to open public voting to select their nicknames from a shortlist of six possibilities. Voting will last until June 17, and the results will be announced in a ceremony on July 5. The cubs are on public display between 9:15 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. daily. Zoo officials say the time will be extended as they grow up.
