Less than a year after making headlines for breaking out of his enclosure, Tango the capybara is back in the spotlight… this time for becoming a father.
Tango the capybara and partner Tayto have welcomed two baby capybaras – or “babybaras”, as the Zoo has described them – after Tayto gave birth last Wednesday (10. June).
The births mark another milestone for Tango, who shot to local fame last summer after staging a brief escape from his enclosure shortly after arriving at the zoo from Drusillas Park in East Sussex.
His bid for freedom delayed opening time at the zoo while keepers tracked him down and safely returned him home.
Now, nearly a year later, the adventurous capybara appears to have settled into family life, with the Zoo team describing Tango and his partner as “proud parents”.
Tango joined female capybaras Tayto and Tatti at Jersey Zoo as part of the zoo’s breeding programme for the world’s largest rodent species.
Native to South America, capybaras are semi-aquatic mammals that can weigh more than 60kg and are known for their calm temperament and social nature.
Visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of Jersey Zoo’s newest arrivals may need a little patience while the youngsters settle into their surroundings.
