Zoo Shares Hopeful Update on Missing Baby Capybara After Locals Spot Her in the Wild
Marwell Zoo shared a new update in the case of missing capybara Samba after she was spotted by locals.
Marwell Zoo has provided a new update in the case of a missing 9-month-old capybara named Samba. The rodent has captured hearts around the world after escaping from a temporary enclosure in southern England—and despite thermal drones, specialist dog units and round-the-clock search efforts, the little fugitive keeps giving everyone the slip. Her sister, Tango, is waiting back home at the zoo, and the whole community has rallied to bring Samba safely back to her.
Marwell Zoo shares new update on Samba’s whereabouts
A spokesperson for Marwell Zoo said on March 31, “We are continuing to do everything we can to bring Samba home safely,” per Hampshire Chronicle. “This includes deploying specialist dog units to track her scent using bedding from both Samba and Tango, using thermal drones to identify her amongst the vegetation and placing camera traps along the waterways where we believe she may be.”
“Our teams continue to carry out extensive searches both day and night,” the statement continued. “However, the area being covered is large, and Samba is particularly adept at avoiding detection, which has resulted in limited confirmed sightings. We have received credible reports of Samba in Owslebury, Allbrook, Brambridge and Twyford, primarily along the River Itchen, which provides a suitable natural habitat.”
An additional statement posted on the zoo’s website on March 30 acknowledged the viral nature of the story: “As you may have seen across local, national and even global press–and all over your social feeds–we’ve had a rather unexpected turn of events here at Marwell over the past 11 days.”
The statement continued: “Our dedicated teams are working 24/7, following up on every sighting and lead. The River Itchen does provide a suitable habitat for a capybara with plenty of water and vegetation, but it also presents challenges due to difficult terrain and limited access in some areas.”
The zoo also thanked its outside helpers: “A big thank you to these external teams for giving us your time and expertise and to the Marwell team who are working around the clock to bring Samba back safely.”
Samba’s life on the lam
In case you missed it, Samba and Tango arrived at Marwell Zoo on March 16 from Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park in Ipswich. While their new habitat was being completed and routine health checks were underway, the pair were being cared for in a temporary holding area. But these sisters had other plans.
On March 17, just one day after arriving, both capybaras managed to escape. The zoo’s team acted quickly and safely recovered Tango from the bushes that same day. Tango is doing fine and receiving plenty of care. Samba, however, made her way beyond the zoo perimeter and hasn’t been caught since.
Over the past few weeks, locals have spotted Samba out in the wild, even capturing videos of her sunbathing and diving into the river. The zoo has received credible reports of her primarily along the River Itchen. She was also spotted near The Ship Inn in Owslebury.
Why getting Samba home matters so much
While capybaras have no immediate predators in the U.K., Marwell Zoo is determined to bring Samba back — especially because capybaras are social creatures who thrive with companions.
“Capybaras are social animals and our focus is on retrieving Samba safely and reuniting her with her sister Tango back at Marwell Zoo,” said Laura Read, Marwell Zoo’s chief executive.
The zoo has called upon people in Owslebury and other local villages to watch for Samba around waterbanks, gardens, ponds, rivers and local water environments. They advised people to drive with caution, as she is likely to travel at night.
For now, Samba remains at large somewhere along the River Itchen — sunbathing, swimming and staying one step ahead of every search team sent her way. Here’s hoping this little adventurer finds her way back to her sister soon.
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