Cameras spot Samba, but her return to the zoo still needs work
· BehindLines newsroom
New images of Samba have been obtained, but the capybara has not returned yet. In its 27 October update, Marwell Zoo in southern England explains why bringing her back still requires work.
Two capybaras, two different journeys
Samba and Tango arrived on 16 March. According to SBS's report published on 3 October, they came from another British park and were staying in a temporary space while their accommodation was prepared and routine health checks were carried out. They escaped the next day; Tango was soon found within the zoo grounds.
Samba kept going. SBS reports a sighting beside a river in March, among other observations, and prolonged searches supported by reports from the public. The capybara is a rodent native to South America.
SBS's report already described a substantial effort: teams had responded to 150 reported sightings. The searches had included thermal drones. This October account shows how long the effort had lasted, without making every reported sighting a confirmed location.
Photographing is different from capturing
Marwell has added cameras and installed a feeding area to encourage Samba to return regularly. The team wants to keep her stress down: frightening her could make her move away and complicate recovery.
The zoo is keeping the exact location confidential to avoid disturbing Samba and disrupting efforts to bring her back. It also says the private property where she is staying prevents it from accepting volunteers for organised searches. No date for her return has been announced. This monitoring describes a confirmed presence and a recovery method; it does not present the operation as completed.