Curraghs Wildlife Park has welcomed eight new arrivals to its growing animal family after two capybara mums gave birth just over two weeks ago.
Agatha and Mirabel are the proud mothers of the newborns, which visitors can now spot in the park’s walk-through habitat within the park.
The new arrivals are already proving an exciting addition to the park, with staff inviting visitors to see the young capybaras while reminding them to give the animals plenty of space and peace and quiet.
Visitors have been asked to stick to the designated paths and wait patiently if any of the capybaras, including the babies or adults, are on the walkway.
Staff have also stressed that visitors should never approach, crowd or attempt to touch the animals, encouraging people to enjoy watching them quietly instead.
Capybaras are the world’s largest living rodents and are semi-aquatic mammals native to South America. They are closely associated with rivers, marshes and wetlands, where they spend much of their time around water.
The births also come as Curraghs Wildlife Park takes part in the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria’s (EAZA) Wetlands for Life campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the importance of wetland habitats. The park said its own location within an internationally important Ramsar wetland site made conservation efforts even more significant.
Wetlands provide vital habitats for a wide range of wildlife, while also playing an important role in supporting biodiversity.
The park hopes the arrival of the eight young capybaras will encourage visitors to learn more about the natural environments that animals depend on.
While the babies are likely to be a highlight for visitors, the park is asking people to remain respectful of the new family as they settle into life with their latest additions.
