Marwell Zoo has deployed more than 20 team members for coordinated ground searches in Brambridge near Winchester after receiving several credible sightings of Samba, an 11-month-old capybara who escaped nearly three months ago.
The Hampshire-based zoo also set up additional camera traps in dense vegetation around Brambridge, about three miles from the facility, to look for footprints and droppings.
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Escape and Search Efforts
Samba and her sister Tango arrived at the zoo on March 16 from Jimmy’s Farm and Wildlife Park in Ipswich.
The following day, both rodents squeezed under a low gate in an off-show area. Tango was quickly recovered near their temporary enclosure.
Zoo staff have been searching for Samba since then. The recent sightings have narrowed the search area, giving teams renewed hope.
“While our thermal drones and camera trap network continue to play a vital role, putting large numbers of people on the ground is only effective when we have specific, recent information,” a zoo spokesperson said.
Search teams focused on physical evidence.
“With these latest reports providing a much narrower search area, our teams have been looking for footprints, droppings and any direct signs of Samba's presence,” the spokesperson added.
Despite extensive efforts, Samba has not been located. “Unfortunately, despite today's extensive efforts, our teams were still unable to locate Samba,” the spokesperson said.
“However, the recent sightings have helped us significantly narrow down the search area, and we remain hopeful.”
The zoo emphasized that Samba’s welfare remains the top priority and that all available resources are being used to bring her back safely.
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Public Guidance and Safety
Marwell Zoo CEO Laura Read provided guidance for local residents.
“Capybaras love water so please check gardens, ponds, rivers and local water environments where she may be hiding,” Read said.
Samba is expected to be more active at night.
“She is also more likely to travel at night so please keep an eye out for her after sunset and be careful when driving,” Read added.
The zoo urged people from outside the area not to travel to join the search.
“Please don’t approach Samba or disturb the area around her as she may get stressed,” Read said.
“It’s very important that only her keepers and the team from Marwell approach her.”
Capybaras are the world's largest rodents, weighing up to 80kg and measuring up to 1.7 meters. They are herbivores and not considered dangerous to humans.
With few natural predators in the UK, traffic remains the primary risk to Samba's safety.
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The zoo thanked the local community for reporting sightings via a dedicated 24-hour hotline, calling their support invaluable.
