Samba the missing capybara who escaped her enclosure in March is spotted for the first time in months
Samba the capybara is alive and well - and still on the run - more than six months after escaping from Marwell Zoo in Hampshire, her keepers have revealed.
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Samba the capybara escaped from Marwell Zoo on March 17, 2026, while being moved to temporary accommodation.
"The runaway rodent and her sister Tango vanished from their enclosure at Marwell Zoo on March 17 while being moved to temporary accommodation."
Capybaras have no natural predators in the UK and could survive there given abundant grass and plant food sources.
"According to animal experts, a capybara could survive in the UK. The rodent has an abundant food source with plenty of grass and plants along riverbanks for it to eat. They also have no natural predators that could hunt them."
Marwell Zoo installed additional wildlife cameras over recent weeks that captured further photographic evidence of Samba.
"Over recent weeks, we have installed additional wildlife cameras, which have provided further photographic evidence of Samba."
Marwell Zoo kept Samba's exact location confidential because she is on private land.
"As Samba is currently on private land, and to avoid disturbing her or disrupting our ongoing efforts, we are keeping details of her exact location confidential."
Marwell Zoo established a feeding area to encourage Samba to become familiar with the location and return regularly.
"We have also been establishing a feeding area, encouraging her to become familiar with the location and return regularly."
Tango the capybara was found soon after the escape.
"Tango was found soon afterwards, but Samba remained on the loose."
Marwell Zoo confirmed in August 2026 that it had new photographic evidence of Samba's whereabouts.
"Since confirming that we had new photographic evidence of Samba’s whereabouts in August, our team has continued working tirelessly to bring her safely back to Marwell Zoo."