Capybara in zoos

[Zoovolunteer]

As the largest living rodent Capybara are a familiar sight at many zoos around the world and are not classed as an endangered species, but the closely related Lesser Capybara Hydrochoerus isthmius from Central America is currently classed as Data Deficient and does not seem to be in as healthy a state, being threatened by over hunting and habitat destruction. Are there any of this form in captivity outside range states? There do not seem to be any on Zootierliste but it was only split as a distinct species fairly recently so it may be that the European population is a mixture.

 

[Coelacanth18]

Are there any of this form in captivity outside range states? There do not seem to be any on Zootierliste but it was only split as a distinct species fairly recently so it may be that the European population is a mixture.

I can’t speak for Europe necessarily, but for the pedigree for the US captive population is almost entirely unknown, so it’s possible that the other species was mixed in at some point but nobody would know at this point. Maybe the European population is the same way?