One capybara that was captured and returned to her enclosure at the High Park Zoo on Sunday night is in good health, city staff say.
In an email to CTV Toronto on Monday, Policy and project advisor for parks Megan Price that “aside from a few scratches,” the animal was unharmed. She said a veterinarian has advised zoo and parks staff “that the capybara needs to be kept indoors for a day or two so that it can acclimate to its surroundings.”
Zoo and rescue staff set up a non-lethal trap Sunday evening and within minutes, they said, the animal was caught.
In a press release from the Wildlife Centre, the leader of the search team Andrew Wight said, “It was really helpful that city staff and some residents kept people away from the area during the trapping.”
Previous attempts to lure the animals failed, likely because the capybaras are skittish and there were too many people around.
Price said that the zoo will continue to provide updates on the animal’s health.
Over the weekend, staff worked to secure the area of the park where one of the capybaras had been spotted.
After observing her patterns and behaviours, the trap was set “where we knew it would be,” Price said.
In a video released by the Toronto Wildlife Centre, the capybara can be seen walking back into its High Park Zoo enclosure.
Price said, “We continue to gather information on the second capybara’s location, habits and patterns” and that they will set another trap soon.
