Telford capybara ‘startled by mower near open gate’ now OK

Cinnamon, the capybara missing for a week in the wilds, is “absolutely fine, other than a little bit tired,” her keepers have confirmed.

The giant rodent escaped from her enclosure at Hoo Zoo & Dinosaur World on Friday 13 September into nearby woodland in Telford, before being found in a pond.

Will Dorrell, joint owner of the park, said “keeper error” had led to her flee through an open gate after being startled by a mower.

“We think the tractor startled her and she dashed past and out the gate,” he said. “During the short period of time the gate was open, they hadn’t seen that Cinnamon was in the long grass.”