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Keep Your Eyes Peeled For Missing Capybara

It may be in Massachusettes. It may be in New York. Heck, it could be half way to Maine. It really is anyone’s guess. Authorities are on the trail of a missing capybara and they need your help.

A what? A capybara. It is classified as the largest rodent in the world—many grow to 3 feet in length and weigh nearly 140 pounds. You’d think that it would stand out on a highway, but this particular capybara has alluded searchers for nearly a week.

According to Massachusettes authorities, the large, beaver-like creature escaped from a petting zoo in Fitchburg while its owner was working on its pen. It has since been spotted in a number of backyards in the area, though no one has been successful in capturing it.

Animal control experts have set up traps for the huge rodent in various spots near its home. Capybara’s are native to South America and are not known for being shy, so experts are hoping once it gets hungry enough it will wander into someone’s yard and a capture will be made. Capybara’s eat plants and bark and can swim long distances without taking breaks.

While animal experts say the giant rodent is not dangerous they are still warning residents not to approach it, rather people are being told to call the police or the humane society. Frankly, I don’t need to be told not to go up to a rodent that weighs more than I do. I can barely stand to watch a skunk wander out of the woods, let alone a massive rodent. Don’t get me wrong; I love animals, but I don’t think rodents fit into the “animal” category. What’s more, I am wondering why its owner didn’t secure the capybara when he went to fix its pen? Didn’t he know that like any animal (“Finding Nemo”) it would try to escape (“The Wild”) if given the chance (“Charlotte’s Web”)?

This entry was posted in Odd Bin and tagged , , , , by Michele Cheplic. Bookmark the permalink.

About Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. She spent the next ten years as a television anchor and reporter at various stations throughout the country (from the CBS affiliate in Honolulu to the NBC affiliate in Green Bay). She has won numerous honors including an Emmy Award and multiple Edward R. Murrow awards honoring outstanding achievements in broadcast journalism. In addition, she has received awards from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association for her reports on air travel and the Wisconsin Education Association Council for her stories on education. Michele has since left television to concentrate on being a mom and freelance writer.