Safari park's only two capybaras become a family

A safari park's only pair of capybaras have become a family and welcomed two new pups.

Longleat, in Wiltshire, said the newborn pups and their mother Mildred, are settling in a purpose-built nursery area with a private pool at the safari park.

Capybaras are the largest species of rodent and are semi-aquatic, meaning they live partly on land and partly in water.

A Longleat spokesperson said it is "early days" to determine the sex of the pups, and they are yet to be named.

The pups were born weighing 1kg each, and when fully grown capybaras can typically reach between 35kg and 66kg.

Capybara pups are born precocial, meaning they are born with fur, open eyes and are able to move and swim within a few hours.

Alexa Maultby, hoofstock keeper at Longleat, said: "With Mildred having only arrived at the park last July, it is a fantastic achievement to have already welcomed two pups.

"Mum and the pups are doing well.

"The pups will suckle from mum for approximately 16 weeks, whilst also eating some grass from a week old.

"We're expecting mum and the pups to spend quite a bit of time in their private pool.

"While the pups won't be the best swimmers to begin with, they will learn quickly and may even ride around on mum's back while in the water initially."

Mildred and their father Bart normally live alongside the Brazilian tapirs and a new trio of maned wolves.

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