Huge, tailless rodents debut at Calgary Zoo
Last Updated: Monday, August 24, 2009 | 2:43 PM MT
CBC News
One of the two capybaras gets used to its new surroundings at the Calgary Zoo. (Calgary Zoo) The largest rodent in the world has arrived at the Calgary Zoo as part of its newest exhibit.
Two capybaras are now on display in the facility's South American pavilion. Weighing up to 64 kilograms, or 140 pounds, the rodent has slightly webbed feet, a barrel-shaped body and no tail.
The rodents, which arrived on July 9 from the Buffalo Zoo in New York, have now finished the required 30-day quarantine, Calgary Zoo officials said on Monday.
The female capybara is named Adali — meaning "noble" — and the male is Pakhi, which means "bird." Both are about a year old.
The capybaras will share their new home with spider monkeys — and may eventually come to lie on, or ride on their roommates, as has been seen in other zoos.
Hunted by predators, humans
"Capybaras are very laid-back and friendly animals," curator Tim Sinclair-Smith said in a news release. "Once the capybaras and spider monkeys get used to each other, they will likely become very interesting to watch as their interaction grows."
Capybaras are herbivores that come from South America where they live in tropical grassland and freshwater environments.
They're not an endangered species but are often killed by predators including anacondas and jaguars. Humans also hunt the capybaras for meat and fur, or because they're seen as a threat to the grazing areas of livestock.
Meanwhile, the zoo announced that the eight-month visit by koalas Budaru and Mundooie will end on Sept. 7. The pair will return to the San Diego Zoo, which loaned the animals to the Calgary facility.
Share Tools
Latest Calgary News Headlines
- Alberta radar running again after breakdown
- Predicting severe weather patterns is still presenting a challenge for local weather watchers after four Environment Canada Doppler radars stopped working properly this week. more »
- Inquiry rules on death of troubled Alberta teen
- A fatality inquiry into the death of a mentally troubled Alberta teenager is recommending hospitals tighten rules on all outings for psychiatric patients. more »
- Alberta readies 60 new ambulances for service
- Around 60 new ambulances will soon be whizzing across the province thanks to a large purchase by Alberta Health Services. more »
- Suspicious death in S.E. investigated
- A man was found dead in southeast Calgary early Friday morning in what police are calling suspicious circumstances. more »
Top News Headlines
- Aylmer triple stabbing leads to first-degree murder charges

- The estranged partner of a young mother who was stabbed to death along with her parents at their home in Aylmer, Que., has been charged with first-degree murder Friday. more »
- Severe storm in Quebec leaves damage in its wake
- Trees were uprooted, roofs damaged and windows shattered as severe thunderstorms, and possibly a tornado, rattled through southwestern Quebec Friday night. more »
- The risks and responsibilities of taking on Mt. Everest

- The deaths of five climbers last weekend on Mt. Everest, with more summits underway this weekend, fuels the debate about the risks and responsibilities of high altitude climbing. more »
- Ex-Mubarak PM vows not to recreate old regime
- The last prime minister of ousted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is denying claims that he's trying to recreate the old regime. more »
- Former MLA questions need for Alberta Party
- Inquiry rules on death of troubled Alberta teen
- Alberta radar running again after breakdown
- Police couldn’t stop double fatal crash, judge says
- Alberta readies 60 new ambulances for service
- Suspicious death in S.E. investigated
- TEDxYYC brings passionate speakers to Calgary today
- Calgary woman who killed mother gets 5 years
- Beltline attack leaves man critically injured

