Female capybara joins Florida zoo for breeding program of South American rodents

In a bid to boost the population of large South American rodents, a female capybara named Iyari has recently arrived at the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society in Florida as part of a breeding program. The 10-month-old capybara was transferred from the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and is currently residing in a mixed-species habitat with Baird’s tapirs while being gradually introduced to Zeus, the park's 2-year-old male capybara. The zoo curator, Mike Terrell, expressed optimism about a potential bond forming between the two capybaras, hinting at a positive atmosphere surrounding their interaction. The decision to bring Iyari to South Florida stemmed from a recommendation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which oversees the management of capybara populations across AZA facilities with an eye towards potential contributions to wild populations. Capybaras, the largest rodent species globally, are known for their resemblance to giant guinea pigs and their social nature, often congregating in groups near bodies of water in savannas and dense forests. While not currently endangered, these herbivores play a crucial role as "ecosystem engineers," maintaining the cleanliness of waterways for other wildlife. With a gestation period of around five months and an average litter size of four, the Palm Beach Zoo officials are uncertain about the timeline for potential baby capybaras, as it hinges on the relationship development between Iyari and Zeus. Visitors to the 23-acre zoo in West Palm Beach can observe Iyari in the Tropics of the Americas section, where the park houses hundreds of animals, including many endangered species. The collaborative efforts between zoos and conservation organizations underscore the importance of preserving and expanding populations of diverse wildlife species for the benefit of ecosystems and future generations.