The two pups are now just over two weeks old and have fitted right in as part of the capybara family
Capybaras have become internet stars, with a catchy song dedicated to the world’s largest rodent. Now, you can visit two baby capybaras at a Cambridgeshire wildlife park minutes away from a railway station.
Shepreth Wildlife Park welcomed the pups into the world on November 11. They were born to Graham, aged three, and Pepita, aged four. Graham arrived at the wildlife park in June from Woburn Safari Park, where he had already sired one litter.
The park has a tradition of naming its capybaras after South American foods, in a nod to where capybaras originate. The new babies have been named Roseta and Pipoca – meaning ‘popcorn’ in Spanish and Portuguese respectively.
A spokesperson for the wildlife park said: “The babies are thriving, feeding on mum’s milk, which they will continue to drink until around 16 weeks old. Impressively, they also began nibbling on solid foods just two days after birth and have shown a particular fondness for sharing dad’s bowl of guinea pig pellets and vegetables.
“At one week old, both were given a full health check and weighed in at 2.8kg and 2.3kg. Early signs suggest they have inherited Graham’s relaxed temperament and Pepita’s curiosity, already exploring their enclosure and interacting confidently with the rest of the capybara family.”
Visitors can now see the capybara family, with experiences on offer for guests who would like to step inside the enclosure with a keeper and get a chance to interact with the animals. Visitors can also sponsor the capybara family, with different tiers to choose from.
“We are overjoyed to welcome these two little ones to the Shepreth family,” said curator Yvonne Morrin. “Pepita has taken to motherhood beautifully and Graham is proving to be a wonderfully patient father. It’s a privilege to watch this family grow.”
